What capabilities does Keen Sword 2027 aim to improve?

The exercise is designed to improve interoperability, information sharing and defensive coordination through realistic bilateral and multilateral scenarios. Its training areas include air and missile defense, facility protection and repair, logistics and resupply, casualty evacuation and maritime operations.

S. Korea observes multinational military exercise involving US, Japanese troops

Q: What is Keen Sword 2027 and which countries are participating?

Keen Sword 2027 is a large-scale multinational field training exercise led by Japan and the United States. Forces from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines are also participating, while South Korea and Britain are observers.

Q: How many troops are taking part in Keen Sword 2027?

Approximately 56,000 U.S. and Japanese troops are participating, including about 45,000 Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel and 11,000 U.S. service members. The exercise is being held in Japan and runs through Oct. 29.

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Summary

South Korea is observing Keen Sword 2027, a multinational military exercise involving U.S. and Japanese troops in Japan, from Monday through Oct. 29. About 45,000 Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel and 11,000 U.S. service members are participating, alongside forces from seven other countries. The exercise covers air and missile defense, logistics, maritime operations and other scenarios intended to improve interoperability and defensive coordination.

Key Facts

Keen Sword 2027 began with an opening ceremony on Ishigaki Island, Japan, and is the 18th iteration of the biennial exercise.
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines are participating alongside Japan and the United States.
South Korea and Britain are participating as observers, according to the Pentagon.
Training includes facility protection and repair, casualty evacuation, information sharing and bilateral and multilateral scenarios under realistic conditions.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 21, 2026 9:01 am KST

A general view of a fishing port at Kubura village, Yonaguni, Japan, Feb. 14, 2025. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — South Korea is participating as an observer in a large-scale multinational military exercise involving some 56,000 U.S. and Japanese troops in Japan, according to the Pentagon Tuesday.

Keen Sword 2027 began Monday with an opening ceremony on Ishigaki Island, Japan, and will run through Oct. 29, the Pentagon said in a press release.

About 45,000 Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel and 11,000 U.S. service members are taking part in the exercise, alongside forces from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines.

According to the Pentagon, South Korea and Britain are participating as observers.

The exercise marks the 18th iteration of the biennial field training event, which includes air and missile defense, facility protection and repair, logistics and resupply, casualty evacuation and maritime operations.

The training is designed to enhance interoperability, information sharing and defensive coordination among participating forces through bilateral and multilateral scenarios under realistic conditions, according to the statement.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. George Rowell, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said the exercise would help participating forces strengthen their ability to deter aggression and respond to potential conflicts.

"Over the coming days, I have no doubt that we will train as one team to test our concepts, refine our command and control, and validate our ability to deter aggression and prevail in crisis or conflict," Rowell said.

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