The South Korean Army has conducted its first live-fire drill deploying state-of-the-art air-to-air missiles.

The Army Aviation Operation Command said Stinger air-to-air guided missiles were launched from AH-64E Apache helicopters during the drill in an artillery range in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province Wednesday.

Stingers were purchased to shoot down North Korean aircraft or drones that can infiltrate the South without being detected in the event of a contingency.

It is the first time the South Korean Army actually deployed the missile from an attack helicopter. A total of four Apache helicopters were mobilized during the drill.