Washington [US], September 29: The militaries of the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States held joint maritime drills in the Philippines exclusive economic zone on Saturday, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr said.
In a statement, Brawner said the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity involves naval and air force units of the countries and "demonstrates a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific." It was conducted within the vicinity of the West Philippine Sea, part of the South China Sea within Philippine waters. It included enhanced exercises designed to improve interoperability among participating forces.
New Zealand joined the activity for the first time, adding a new dimension to the collaborative efforts, Brawner said.
The drills involved a range of naval and aerial assets, including the Philippine Navy's BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), a AW109 helicopter, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) assets.
They were joined by the United States' USS Howard (DDG83) and two helicopters, Australia's HMAS Sydney (D48), a P-8 Poseidon aircraft and a helicopter, Japan's JS Sazanami (DD113), and New Zealand's HMNZS Aotearoa (A-11).
The Philippines has been increasing training engagements with foreign partners and upgrading its defence ties with them.
It signed a defence pact in July to allow Japanese troops access to the Philippines, and vice versa, in the face of increasingly aggressive moves by China in the West Philippine Sea.
China has rejected a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating its massive claims over the South China Sea. Countries joining the "cooperative activity" have raised concerns about Chinese aggressive actions in the disputed sea lane including the use of water cannons, aggressive manoeuvres and the ramming of Philippine Coast Guard ships.
Source: Qatar Tribune