CHINHAE NAVAL BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Republic of Korea Navy Task Fleet and the Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center hosted the first-ever Korean Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Tabletop event, named “KITE 2025”, at the Combat Systems Training Center, Apr. 28 to May 2, 2025.
The event focused on advancing operational integration between ROK and U.S. forces by marking the ROK Navy’s first use of the International Simulation (I-SIM) system, a cutting-edge tool for simulating ballistic missile defense operations using integrated air and maritime assets and the result is a more dynamic and unified air defense partnership.
The objective was clear: to strengthen interoperability to counter complex and emerging threats, to include North Korea’s hypersonic missile capabilities and space-launched vehicles.
“We can defend anything, but we can’t defend everything,” said Col. Matthew Belote, Pacific IAMD Center director. “That’s why unity, integration, and prioritization are now more important than ever.”
The participants, commanders and military planners from 17 separate commands and directorates of both nations, emphasized the necessity of joint operations, intelligence sharing, and synchronized engagement capabilities and authorities to ensure layered defense coverage across all domains: land, sea, air and space.
The event culminated with the ROK Navy and the U.S. leaders addressing the way forward for continuing to enhance the ROK/US Alliance, and to reflect on the exercise events.
“Neither nation can do it alone, and only together can we achieve our shared security goals,” said ROK Capt. Jeong In Cheol, Commodore of Maritime Task Squadron 71.
Institutions such as PIC and JBTEC continue to play a pivotal role in advancing multinational defense readiness. During KITE, senior leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining joint engagements while broadening trilateral cooperation with Japan—an essential step toward enhancing regional deterrence and strategic depth.
The KITE 2025 event represented a step forward in joint training, interoperability, and strategic planning between military partners, and with regional tensions and missile threats on the rise, continued collaboration between the Republic of Korea, the United States, and allied partners remains vital to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.