F-22 Raptor likely to join US-South Korea military exercises
- Source: Global Times
- [15:39 July 19 2010]
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F-22 Raptor fighters (Photo: huanqiu.com)
By Zhao Ting
The US and South Korea are set to launch joint military exercises off the east coast of South Korea later this month.
And a South Korean government official said that the US is considering sending the F-22 Raptor air dominant fighter to the naval exercises.
Washington has said the drill follows the recent sinking of the Cheonan and is aimed at sending a message to North Korea.
The US government will also send its Seventh Fleet as well as US troops currently based in Japan.
The US announced in May that it would deploy 12 air force fighters F-22 at the Kadena air base of the US Forces Japan in Okinawa for four months.
The F-22 is the most advanced fighter, with a high stealth performance and mobility, and is equipped with Active Phased Array Radar and advanced weapons. It costs about $140 million per unit.
According to South Korean media, Washington and Seoul will hold 10 joint military exercises off the coast of South Korea this year.
On the topic of US-South Korea joint military exercises in the Yellow Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reiterated that China opposes any exercises conducted by foreign military fleet which endanger Chinese security interests. And he said he hoped the relevant parties will remain calm and not cause regional tensions.
