The United States and South Korea have launched a large-scale joint air exercise in the skies over the Korean Peninsula involving 240 combat aircraft, including advanced low-observable F-35 fighter-bombers with stealth technology, South Korea's Renhap news agency reported.

About 1,600 combat sorties are reportedly planned as part of the Vigilant Storm maneuvers. According to the allies, such training is necessary to counter the potential threat from North Korea, which has staged a record number of missile launches this year. In addition, Seoul fears that Pyongyang may soon conduct a nuclear test.

The command of the U.S. Pacific Air Force said earlier that thousands of Korean and U.S. troops will also take part in the exercise. In addition, the 33rd Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force will send a KC-30A refueling aircraft to South Korea. The maneuvers will last until Friday, November 4.

South Korea does not rule out that North Korea may also try to demonstrate its firepower by launching ballistic missiles in response to the allied exercises.