The Defense Ministry launched a five-day joint defense exercise on Monday, July 13. The drills will run until July 17 and focus on improving proficiency in various joint operational tasks under a decentralized command-and-control mechanism, as well as strengthening coordination and interoperability among the service branches.

The Ministry said that this exercise builds on the operational scenario from June’s immediate combat readiness exercise, training forces to become proficient in various joint operational tasks in a defensive situation. The drills will adopt a ‘real force, real site, real-time, real equipment, hands-on’ approach, using scenario-based prompts to guide commanders and units at all levels in implementing resource and combat power integration.

The Ministry noted that in light of Typhoon Bavi’s departure, all operational theater commands should stay in contact with county and city governments to plan the transition between disaster relief and exercise schedules.