The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Maritime Task Flotilla 7 and the Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center (PIC) cohosted the third annual ROK Integrated Air and Missile Defense Seminar (RIS) at the Combat Systems Training Center in Chinhae Naval Base on Jan. 23-26, 2024. This is the first seminar incorporating ROK naval and air force-based assets, expanding the ROK and U.S. air defense operating picture.
The RIS emphasizes the need for a combined approach to address complex threats such as North Korea's solid-fuel hypersonic missiles and space-launched vehicles (SLVs). Interoperability allows for a more effective response through shared intelligence, coordinated tracking, and potentially joint interception efforts. For instance, recovering and analyzing North Korean SLVs provides critical insights into their missile capabilities, enhancing collective defense strategies.
As highlighted in the seminar, the modern battlefield involves various technologies and systems. The interoperability among the ROK, U.S., and potentially Japan ensures that these diverse systems, including sea, air, land, and space-based assets, can effectively communicate and operate in concert. This integration is crucial for an effective layered defense strategy that addresses various threat dimensions.
“This event showcased the importance of joint and combined integration and interoperability to deter, and if needed, defeat the threats that the ROK Forces face today and in the future. U.S. Forces cannot do it alone, and ROK Forces cannot do it alone; only together can we accomplish our regional and national goals,” said Lt. Col. Kyle Kirkpatrick, Deputy Director of the Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center.
Interoperability is critical in the modern battlefield where various technologies, such as foreign military technology, complement other systems that were not originally intended to communicate with. The Joint Ballistic Training and Educational Center (JBTEC) underscored the complexity of fire coordination principles of defense, joint planning process, command and control, and defense design considerations.
Capt. Chong Hwa Moon, Commodore, Maritime Task Squadron 71 (MTS71), provided RIS opening remarks and discussed the latest ROK-U.S.-JPN trilateral maritime exercise in response to the North Korean solid-fuel hypersonic missile launch on Jan. 14, and noted, “We need to share experience, not just knowledge in tracking.”
Institutions like the JBTEC are crucial in developing a shared understanding and proficiency in joint planning, command and control, and defense design. This shared training fosters seamless coordination and enhances the effectiveness of combined operations.
Combined ROK/U.S. senior leaders agreed to consider inviting Japan to future Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) seminars and diversifying its interoperability to create a trilateral defense that mutually supports national interests in the region. A significant portion of the round table included senior ROK/U.S. leaders noting the value of Trilateral (ROK/JPN/U.S.) IAMD Operations to the region's defense and expanding multinational magazine depth.
“RIS was a success enabling key ROK/U.S. IAMD senior leaders an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to the defense of the Korean Theater of Operations and promoted inviting other allies and partners in the region to participate in a future IAMD event,” said Mr. David Scofield, RIS Facilitator.
Including Japan in future seminars and operations would expand the scope of interoperability. This trilateral cooperation aligns with the national interests of each country, providing a broader strategic framework for regional stability. It would also deepen the multinational magazine's depth, allowing for more robust and diverse defense capabilities.
Senior military officials discussed a multilateral approach to the North Korean solid-fuel hypersonic missile launch on Jan. 14. They highlighted the need for a timely response in tracking and salvaging North Korean-launched Vehicles (SLVs). Recovering SLVs provides insight into North Korea's evolving missile technology.
The seminar highlighted theater ballistic missile posture and command overview briefings of Indo-Pacific Command vision, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command IAMD Posture (94th Forward Command Element – Korea), and Combined Forces Command (CFC) Navy AEGIS Integration/U.S. Forces (CJ38).
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