▲ This photo, provided by the Air Force, shows the South Korean and French air forces participating in joint air drills at an air base in Cheongju, some 110 kilometers south of Seoul, from Sept. 15-17. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This photo, provided by the Air Force, shows South Korean and French airmen shaking hands after arriving at an air base in Cheongju, some 110 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 15, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and France staged a joint aerial exercise this week aimed at enhancing interoperability between their troops, the South Korean Air Force said Thursday.

The three-day drills, which kicked off Tuesday, took place at an air base in Cheongju, about 110 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the armed service.

It marks the first joint drills between South Korea and France in three years.

The Air Force mobilized its F-35A stealth jets and KC-330 Cygnus multirole aerial tankers, among others, while the French Air Force deployed two Rafale fighter jets and an A-330 aerial refueling tanker for the drills.

The French team was mobilized as part of France's "Pegase" mission designed to inspect its interoperability and deterrence capabilities with allied forces. The exercise is scheduled to take place across nine countries, including Canada, the United States and Japan, from Sept. 8 through Oct. 15.

On Wednesday, the South Korean and French air forces conducted mutual aerial refueling designed to enhance the understanding of their respective aerial refueling systems.

The air forces also staged joint tactical flights by dividing teams into allied and enemy forces, and the pilots from both nations shared their thoughts on strategic flight tactics and aircraft operational methods.

Additionally, the South Korean and French air forces staged aerial performances at a memorial cemetery in the southeastern port city of Busan early Wednesday to commemorate the sacrifices of U.N. troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War. Three F-35A stealth jets from South Korea and two Rafale fighter jets of France were mobilized for the air show.

Maj. Gen. Vincent Chusseau, commander of the French Space Command, said the visit by French aerial assets to South Korea marks a "stepping stone" to enhance operational interoperability between the air forces.

"The reason the French aircraft visited South Korea through the Pegase mission was to review the French air and space forces' role as South Korea's partner to counter regional challenges, and (it) serves as a stepping stone to enhance operational interoperability between the troops," Chusseau said in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency.

The French commander highlighted that the two nations have strengthened their relations through "deep friendship and trust" across all sectors, noting this year marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

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