The United States and the Philippines launched their annual joint military drills on Monday, involving around 14,000 troops in full-scale combat scenarios designed to strengthen defence cooperation and regional security.
Thousands of American and Filipino troops have launched joint military exercises simulating the defence of the Asian archipelago, including a mock island invasion, in a large-scale drill that has drawn sharp criticism from China.
The annual Balikatan (Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder”) exercises, which will run until 9 May, involve around 9,000 US and 5,000 Filipino military personnel.
Australian forces have also joined and Japan and other nations have sent observers.
US and Philippine military leaders described this year’s drill as a “full-scale battle scenario,” featuring warships, fighter jets and high-powered weaponry, including a US Marine anti-ship missile system.
“Our combined strength…possesses a degree of lethality for a force that possesses an indomitable warrior ethos and spirit,” said US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn at the opening ceremony in Manila.
