S. Korea, Australia hold joint maritime drills in East Sea

▲ This file photo shows naval ships mobilized for the 2019 joint maritime drills between South Korea and Australia. (Yonhap)

S Korea-Australia-drills

S. Korea, Australia hold joint maritime drills in East Sea

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Australia have been conducting a bilateral maritime exercise in the East Sea to enhance their joint operational capabilities and interoperability, Seoul's Navy said Thursday.

The naval exercise began Tuesday for a four-day run in waters off Ulsan, 299 kilometers southeast of Seoul, involving six South Korean Navy vessels, maritime surveillance helicopters and military helicopters.

Australia mobilized Anzac-class frigate Toowoomba, a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft for the biennial exercise, the ninth of its kind.

"Both militaries aim to strengthen their combined operational capabilities and interoperability through anti-submarine warfare, air defense, maritime interdiction, tactical maneuvers and naval live-fire drills during this training," the Navy said in a release.

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