Latest news with #B-52H
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
North Korea Warns US Over Strategic Bombers Near Airspace
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. North Korea has accused the United States of threatening regional peace by deploying strategic bombers for a trilateral exercise over the Korean Peninsula last week. The drill—which involved aircraft from the U.S., Japan and South Korea—showed collective ability to respond immediately to regional security challenges, according to the U.S. military. Why It Matters North Korea is one of nine nuclear-armed nations, with an estimated 50 warheads and long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear strikes against the U.S. mainland. Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, has vowed to pursue the "unlimited expansion" of his nuclear arsenal. Facing North Korea's growing threats, Japan and South Korea are under the protection of U.S. extended deterrence—also known as the nuclear umbrella—which refers to the pledge to deter and respond to nuclear threats, including through the use of U.S. nuclear weapons. What To Know A pair of American B-52H bombers was escorted by two Japanese F-2 fighter aircraft and two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets during a trilateral flight on Friday, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. It was the third such flight between the allies this year. Fighter aircraft from Japan and South Korea escort two U.S. B-52H bombers over the East China Sea on July 11, 2025. Fighter aircraft from Japan and South Korea escort two U.S. B-52H bombers over the East China Sea on July 11, 2025. South Korean Air Force The B-52H bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of ordnance, such as bombs and missiles, the U.S. Air Force says. According to the Federation of American Scientists, 46 of the 76 B-52H bombers are nuclear-capable, while the rest are conventionally armed only. It was not immediately clear whether the U.S. bombers that participated in the allied drill were nuclear-capable. Each nuclear-armed B-52H aircraft can carry up to 20 AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles for nuclear strikes, the Federation of American Scientists added. According to the Japanese and South Korean defense ministries, the flight was conducted over the East China Sea, west of Japan's Kyushu Island and off the coast of South Korea's Jeju Island. Officially released photos show six allied military aircraft flying in formation. In a statement released on Sunday, the chief of the Policy Office of North Korea's Defense Ministry claimed that joint military activities between the U.S. and its two allies are the "main danger factors" heightening the level of military tension on the Korean Peninsula. "It is our just sovereign right to take countermeasures against provocative military actions such as the moves to strengthen the multilateral military alliance threatening the security of the region and the joint military drills with clear aggressive character," the statement warned. North Korea's Defense Ministry also said that the country's armed forces remain in "constant military preparedness" to counter what it called "collective provocations" by the U.S. and its allies, deter their aggression, and respond to "acts of war." Japanese and South Korean fighters are seen with American B-52H bombers over the East China Sea on July 11, 2025. Japanese and South Korean fighters are seen with American B-52H bombers over the East China Sea on July 11, 2025. South Korean Air Force What People Are Saying The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a press release on Friday: "Our steadfast commitment fosters trust, strengthens cooperation, and reinforces the collective will and ability to maintain security and stability in the Indo-Pacific." Japan's Joint Staff Office said in a press release on Saturday: "This exercise strongly promotes trilateral cooperation to respond to regional security challenges amid an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, and demonstrates the strong commitment of the three countries to secure a free and open international order based on the rule of law." South Korea's Defense Ministry said in a press release on Friday: "Based on close coordination, the three countries will cooperate to jointly deter and respond to North Korea's threats while continuing with three-way training." The chief of the Policy Office of North Korea's Defense Ministry said in a statement in English on Sunday: "We express serious concern over [U.S., Japanese and South Korean] hostile acts of persistently conducting provocative and threatening military actions while deliberately ignoring the security concern of [North Korea] and strongly warn of the grave consequences to be entailed by them on the regional situation." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether North Korea will take further action, such as firing ballistic missiles toward waters near Japan and South Korea, thereby showcasing its military capabilities.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
North Korea bristles at South Korea-US-Japan air drills
Seoul: North Korea, on Sunday, blasted recent combined air drills conducted by South Korea, the US and Japan, saying such joint military actions are "the main danger factors heightening the level of the military tension" on the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding region. "We express serious concern over their hostile acts of persistently conducting provocative and threatening military actions while deliberately ignoring the security concern of the North Korea and strongly warn of the grave consequences to be entailed by them on the regional situation," the head of the North Korean Defence Ministry's policy office said in a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). On Friday, Seoul's Defence Ministry said the three nations had held the air drills over international waters off the southern South Korean island of Jeju and involved at least one US B-52H bomber -- the strategic bomber's first deployment near the Korean Peninsula this year, Yonhap news agency reported. The North Korean official also charged that the tripartite military alliance has "completely changed into a nuclear-based triangular military alliance". "Irresponsible acts of the US, Japan and the South Korea steadily heightening the level of tension and danger on the Korean peninsula should be closely watched and deterred," North Korea's statement added. "It is our just sovereign right to take countermeasures against provocative military actions such as the moves to strengthen the multilateral military alliance threatening the security of the region and the joint military drills with clear aggressive character." On July 11, South Korea, the US and Japan held combined air drills on Friday as part of efforts to strengthen their joint response against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, South Korea's Defence Ministry said. The exercise took place over international waters off the southern South Korean island of Jeju and involved at least one US B-52H bomber as well as South Korea's KF-16 and Japan's F-2 fighters, according to the Ministry. It marked the strategic bomber's first deployment near the Korean Peninsula this year. "Based on close coordination, the three countries will cooperate to jointly deter and respond to North Korea's threats while continuing with three-way training," it said in a statement. The exercise came as the top military officers of the three countries convened in Seoul for a regular meeting to discuss the security situation and ways to strengthen their trilateral security cooperation. It came less than a month after South Korea, the US and Japan conducted joint aerial drills on June 18, in what marked the first such exercise held under the Lee Jae Myung government.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea bristles at S. Korea-U.S.-Japan air drills
North Korea on Sunday blasted recent combined air drills conducted by South Korea, the United States and Japan, saying such joint military actions are "the main danger factors heightening the level of the military tension" on the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding region. "We express serious concern over their hostile acts of persistently conducting provocative and threatening military actions while deliberately ignoring the security concern of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and strongly warn of the grave consequences to be entailed by them on the regional situation," the head of the North Korean defense ministry's policy office said in a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The statement referred to North Korea by its official name. On Friday, Seoul's defense ministry said the three nations had held the air drills over international waters off the southern South Korean island of Jeju and involved at least one U.S. B-52H bomber -- the strategic bomber's first deployment near the Korean Peninsula this year. The North Korean official also charged that the tripartite military alliance has "completely changed into a nuclear-based triangular military alliance." "Irresponsible acts of the US, Japan and the ROK (South Korea) steadily heightening the level of tension and danger on the Korean peninsula should be closely watched and deterred," the North's statement added. "It is our just sovereign right to take countermeasures against provocative military actions such as the moves to strengthen the multilateral military alliance threatening the security of the region and the joint military drills with clear aggressive character." (Yonhap)
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Top military chiefs meet to discuss regional security
The top military chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul, as US President Donald Trump piles pressure on Washington's allies over defence spending and trade. General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, held talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Myung-soo, and Japan's General Yoshihide Yoshida, as part of an annual meeting on regional security yesterday. They discussed growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, which has sent weapons and thousands of troops for Russia's war in Ukraine. The talks covered 'the potential transfer of military technology from Russia to the DPRK', the three military chiefs said in a statement which used North Korea's official name. Speaking at the start of the trilateral talks, Caine said that North Korea and China are both 'undergoing an unprecedented military build-up with a clear and unambiguous intent to move forward with their own agendas'. 'We need to be mindful of that, we need to be able to demonstrate resolve, to be entrepreneurial and proactive in our partnerships,' he added. Separately, the three countries conducted joint air drills yesterday over South Korea's Jeju island, involving a US B-52H strategic bomber, according to the defence ministry. Washington, Seoul's long-time security ally, stations around 28,500 troops in the South. The two countries signed a new five-year agreement in 2024 on sharing the cost of those troops, but this week Trump said South Korea is 'paying very little for the military'. South Korea's foreign ministry said this week that they were 'committed to faithfully implementing' the defence cost deal, 'which was validly concluded and has entered into force'. — AFP
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
South Korea, US and Japan top military chiefs meet in Seoul - International
The top military chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul Friday, as US President Donald Trump piles pressure on Washington's allies over defence spending and trade. General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, held talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Myung-soo, and Japan's General Yoshihide Yoshida, as part of an annual meeting on regional security. They discussed growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, which has sent weapons and thousands of troops for Russia's war in Ukraine. The talks covered "the potential transfer of military technology from Russia to the DPRK", the three military chiefs said in a statement which used North Korea's official name. They called on the nuclear-armed North to "immediately cease" all such unlawful activities. Speaking at the start of the trilateral talks, Caine said that North Korea and China are both "undergoing an unprecedented military build up with a clear and unambiguous intent to move forward with their own agendas". "We need to be mindful of that, we need to be able to demonstrate resolve, to be entrepreneurial and proactive in our partnerships," he added. Separately, the three countries conducted joint air drills on Friday over South Korea's southern island of Jeju, involving a US B-52H strategic bomber, according to the defence ministry. Washington, Seoul's long-time security ally, stations around 28,500 troops in the South. The two countries signed a new five-year agreement in 2024 on sharing the cost of those troops, but this week Trump said South Korea is "paying very little for the military". Trump, who has also threatened Seoul with 25 percent tariffs unless they can negotiate a trade deal, said South Korea "should be paying for their military". South Korea's foreign ministry said this week that they were "committed to faithfully implementing" the defence cost deal, "which was validly concluded and has entered into force". Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
