The nation’s newest fighter jet has been employed for the first time during combat exercises.

The Air Force has been operating F-15Ks since late 2005, but its operations had been limited to pilot training and familiarization purposes.

An Air Force official said Thursday that successful tests of the F-15K mean a significant advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities.

The official said with a combat range that covers an 1800-kilometer radius, and up to three continuous hours of possible flight time, the F-15K is capable of carrying out successful long-range missions on the Korean Peninsula.

Armed with 20-milimeter machine guns, the aircraft can carry up to ten tons of the latest precision-guided missiles, including Joint Direct Attack Munition and air-to-surface and air-to-ship SLAM-ER missiles.