The armed forces of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan conducted coordinated maritime operations in the South China Sea, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
The joint exercises included military aircraft and combat ships from the participating nations, such as a U.S. P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Philippine patrol vessels, and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer. These operations aimed to bolster operational interoperability in defensive tactics, techniques, and procedures.
USINDOPACOM underscored that the U.S. and its allies advocate for freedom of navigation and overflight, lawful use of the sea and international airspace, and respect for maritime rights, all in line with international law.
In related news, during the summer, the U.S. Navy and the French Navy carried out joint military drills in the Philippine Sea to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, the Philippines and Germany are set to sign a defense cooperation agreement this year to reinforce the international order in the Indo-Pacific.
