The United States and the Republic of Korea conducted exercises involving the nuclear-powered submarine USS Topeka and the diesel-electric submarine ROKS Jung Ji

The Republic of Korea and the United States conducted a joint maritime exercise. Submarines from both countries took part in the event.

Here's What We Know

The US Navy sent the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) for the exercise. The Republic of Korea sent the Sonwonil-class diesel-electric submarine ROKS Jung Ji (SS 073).

The event was not without air support. In particular, the US Navy utilised reconnaissance aircraft from Patrol Squadron 8. The exercise was aimed at improving interoperability between the maritime forces of the two countries.

The exercise is called Silent Shark and was conducted off the coast of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. It is a regular maritime exercise conducted by the Republic of Korea and the United States every two years since 2007.

USS Topeka (SSN 754) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine and the third U.S. vessel to be named after the state capital of Kansas. She joined the fleet in mid-autumn 1989. The 110.3 metre long submarine is armed with 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

ROKS Jeong Ji (SS-073) you can see in the first image. It is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system. The South Korean submarine can carry out missions for 84 days, has eight 533mm torpedo tubes and is capable of launching Harpoon anti-ship missiles.