The Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, and the United States have conducted a trilateral naval exercise to strengthen their combined defense capabilities and enhance security cooperation in the region. The exercise, held in international waters, underscores the commitment of the three nations to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The drills included a range of activities such as anti-submarine warfare training, search and rescue operations, and coordinated tactical maneuvers. By integrating their naval assets and expertise, the three countries aim to improve interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges.
This trilateral exercise comes amid growing regional tensions and highlights the importance of collaboration among allied nations. Leaders from ROK, Japan, and the U.S. reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring maritime security, and upholding international norms. The enhanced cooperation also signals a united front in addressing potential threats and promoting stability in the region.
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), UNIT/s, ROK UNIT/s, JMSDF UNIT/s participated in the multi-day, trilateral exercise, advancing interoperability and readiness across multiple warfare areas.
The multi-domain exercise included group sails, advanced maritime communications, maritime interdiction operations training, air combat drills, staff exchanges and other integration, and serves to further strengthen the combined capabilities of the participating navies. Enhancing trilateral security cooperation with the ROKN and JMSDF ensures our militaries and self-defense forces can operate together against any threat.
This builds upon the regular, increasingly complex trilateral cooperation of the three nations, including the January 2025 trilateral bomber escort flights, as the three nations continue integration across the Joint Force. The last trilateral naval exercise between the U.S., ROK and Japan was conducted in November 2024 during the second iteration of Freedom Edge.
This current activity builds on previous exercises like Freedom Edge and our continuing operations together, advancing doctrine as well as tactics, techniques and procedures among our combined forces.
Trilateral naval exercises are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.
