The US and the Philippines start joint military exercises in the South China Sea

ANKARA:

About 16,000 US and Philippine troops began annual joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday, local media reported.

WPS is the Philippines’ official designation for the parts of the South China Sea that are part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The 19-day exercises, dubbed ‘Balikatan 2024’, will involve about 5,000 Philippine and 11,000 US troops. This makes them the largest joint military exercises between the two allies in decades, the local English daily Manila Times reported, citing the army.

A total of fourteen countries, including Japan and India, will participate in the exercises as observers amid rising maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

Contingents from the Australian Defense Force and the French Navy will also participate in the exercise as participants.

Also read: China urges US to stop using Philippines as pawn to destabilize South China Sea

France will join the group but will only sail on the edge of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in WPS.

The Japan Defense Force was to join the maritime sails, but did not respond to the Philippine Army’s invitation in time.

This year’s maritime exercise will, for the first time, extend beyond the 12 nautical mile territorial waters of the Philippines.

During the exercises, participants will conduct a series of complex missions across various domains, including maritime security, air and missile defense, dynamic missile attacks, cyber defense and information operations.