The United States are sending about nine thousand soldiers to the Philippines for this year’s joint military exercises, as the allies strengthen ties amid tensions with China about the country’s activities in the Southern Sea of China and Taiwan.
The annual exercises, which the Philippine Army described on Tuesday (15) as an essay for national defense, will include five thousand Filipino soldiers, 200 of the Australia Defense Force and Japan’s self-defense force observers.
For the first time, observers from countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic will also participate.
Although this year’s number of troops is less than the 17,600 of 2023, he will be more purposeful, told Brigade General Michael Logo, a spokesman for the event, at a press conference.
The annual “Balikatan”, or “shoulder to shoulder” exercises reflect the deepening of defense bonds between the two allies, as tensions increase in the southern sea of China and around Taiwan, where China recently performed large -scale military exercises.
The South China Sea remains a source of tension between China and Southeast Asia nations, with ties between Beijing and Manila at its worst moment in years, amid frequent clashes that caused concerns about a military conflict.
Military exercise approaches “a full battle test, which means that we are now treating exercise as an essay for our defense,” said logic.
The exercises will emphasize interoperability between domains, including sea and air defense, and will extend from Palawan to the northern islands of Luzon – areas of the Southern Sea of China and Taiwan.
The places were not random, he explained, adding that “the exercises alone can also help to resist the influence operations of other nations.”
US support
During a visit last month, US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, reaffirmed Washington’s “fierce” commitment to the mutual defense treaty with the Philippineswhich has existed for decades.
Hegseth has promised to implement advanced resources for the Philippine exercises, including the Nameis anti-navy missile system, to stop threats, including Chinese “aggression,” which, according to the general, is already in the country.
Last year’s exercises saw the US Army’s medium -range system debut, also known as Typhon missile system that can hit China and Russia, attracting criticism from China.
“Every country, large or small, has the absolute and inalienable right to defend and train for this defense with our partners, our Allies of the Treaty,” said Logic.
The exercises will be held from April 21 to May 9.
This content was originally published in Philippines prepares for military exercise with USA amid tension with China on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil

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