The United States and the Philippines have launched the annual Balikatan 2024 military exercises amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, ABS-CBN News reported, according to UNN.
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The purpose of the armed forces, for which we exist, is actually to prepare for war. There is no need to embellish, if we do not prepare, it will do the country a disservice
A Philippine military official noted that this is the first time the exercise will be held outside Philippine territorial waters, about 22 kilometers from the Philippine coastline.
ABS-CBN News also reported that the United States has deployed SM-6 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the Philippines, but a Balikatan 2024 spokesperson said that these weapons will not be used during the exercise.
According to the TV channel, the Philippine Coast Guard will join the maneuvers for the first time, during which they will practice their response to the armed seizure of an island in Palawan province, located near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which are disputed by China and the Philippines, as well as Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.
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The exercise will take place in the northern Philippine provinces of Cagayan and Batanes, located less than 300 kilometers from Taiwan. Participants in Balikatan 2024 will also practice tactics of information warfare, maritime security, and integrated air and missile defense.
About 11,000 American and about 5,000 Philippine military personnel, as well as Australian and French troops, will take part in the exercises, which will last until May 10. 14 Asian and European countries will join them as observers. The Philippines plans to invite Japan to participate in the Balikatan 2025 maneuvers.
