Large-Scale Firepower Drill by South Korea and the US to Prepare for North Korea's Hamas-Style Surprise Attack

North Korea Prepares for Hamas-Style Simultaneous Surprise Artillery Attacks
Deploys Over 300 Artillery Pieces Including K-9 and 5,400 Troops
‘Gray Eagle’ UAV and A-10 Also Participate

South Korea and the United States engaged in a large-scale firepower battle in the Cheorwon and Yeoncheon areas of Gangwon Province. The firepower deployed included 300 units such as K-9 and K-55A1 long-range artillery shells, with 5,400 troops and over 1,000 vehicles mobilized. Additionally, the U.S. military's so-called 'killer drone,' the 'Gray Eagle' (MQ-1C) unmanned attack reconnaissance aircraft, participated in surveillance, detection, and strike missions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "As part of the Homeland Defense Training, from the 23rd to today, the Ground Operations Command, also serving as the Ground Component Command (GCC), is conducting a large-scale firepower outdoor maneuver training exercise (FTX). This is aimed at neutralizing North Korea's long-range artillery that threatens the Seoul metropolitan area in the shortest possible time in case of emergency."

This training is designed to prepare for a Hamas-style simultaneous surprise artillery attack by North Korea. To monitor and detect artillery attacks, South Korea and the U.S. are deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-battery radar. Subsequently, South Korean and U.S. ground and air strike forces, including K-9 self-propelled howitzers, South Korean and U.S. multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), ATACMS, F-15K fighter jets, the U.S. Forces Korea's MQ-1C 'Gray Eagle' unmanned attack aircraft, and A-10 attack aircraft, were mobilized.

Accordingly, the South Korean and U.S. forces participating in this exercise will, under the control of the GCC Large Firepower Operations Headquarters, master the procedures for each unit's firepower mission, including ▲ surveillance and detection - target distribution of strike assets ▲ operation of the joint firepower command system (C4I) ▲ execution of multi-domain large firepower operations ▲ occupation and transformation of TF unit positions ▲ procedures for striking enemy long-range artillery and live-fire drills ▲ continuous support and survivability assurance.

The GCC explained, "To prepare for the enemy's Hamas-style simultaneous surprise artillery attack, we are conducting strike, annihilation, and continuous support procedure drills and live-fire exercises by integrating South Korea-U.S. joint surveillance and detection assets with South Korea-U.S. joint ground and air strike forces to promptly eliminate the source of enemy long-range artillery provocations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.