Manila, Philippines — More than 17,000 American and Filipino military personnel will take part in their largest annual combat exercise in the Philippines, a US military official said Tuesday, underscoring the United States’ strong commitment to Asia despite being busy in the Middle East.
The maneuvers during 20 April-8 May are called balikatanThe Japanese military will fire a missile in a practice to sink a ship in northwestern Philippine waters off the disputed South China Sea. Philippine military officials said Japan’s defense chief has been invited to watch a live-fire drill.
Large-scale war exercises between the US and the Philippines, longtime treaty allies, will be expanded this year to include other friendly powers that have signed, including Japan, France and Canada. Visiting Forces Agreement With Manila, the Philippine military said.
“Our message is our dedication and commitment to our alliance and regional security,” U.S. military spokesman Col. Robert Boone said at a news briefing.
Boone did not immediately disclose the number of US forces participating in the exercise. Last year, approximately 9,000 US military personnel joined Balikatan – Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder exercises.
“The defensive aspect of countering drones is a part of the exercise,” Bunn said in response to a question on the types of simulated combat missions expected.
China has opposed military exercises, particularly involving US forces, in or near the region, including in the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claim to the water, a major global trade route. regional conflict Tensions have increased in recent years, particularly between the Chinese and Filipino armies.
The Philippine military says the war exercises do not target any country, but acknowledges that war exercises with the US and security partners will help the Philippines protect the country’s interests in the disputed waters.
Last year, the US Secretary of Defense pete hegseth Assured Philippine officials during a visit to Manila that the Trump administration will work with allies to increase deterrence against threats around the world, including China’s aggression in the South China Sea.
Hegseth told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “Friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to prevent conflict, to ensure that there is free navigation, whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.”
