US, Philippines launch largest combat exercises in decades across South China Sea & Taiwan Strait

Category : Defense Published on: April 13 2023

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American and Filipino forces launched their largest combat exercises in decades in the Philippines and its waters across the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
The annual drills by the longtime treaty allies called Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder” — will run up to April 28 and involve more than 17,600 military personnel.
About 12,200 U.S military personnel, 5,400 Filipino forces and 111 Australian counterparts are taking part in the exercises, the largest since Balikatan started three decades ago.
Exercise Balikatan is the most prominent annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
The exercises have been the cornerstone of Philippines–United States military relations since the closure of U.S. bases in the Philippines.
Australian armed forces have participated in Balikatan exercises annually since 2014.