The Philippine and US air forces kicked off joint workout routines Monday (April 7, 2025) aimed at boosting operational coordination and enhancing “strategic deterrence”, Manila’s army mentioned.
The drills comply with months of confrontations between Bejing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea, with considerably bigger US-Philippine air, land and sea workout routines set for late April.
“Enhancing combat readiness and elevating joint mission effectiveness” can be central to the Cope Thunder train, Philippine Air Force commander Arthur Cordura mentioned Monday at a ceremony to launch the drills.
Military ties between the Philippines and United States have deepened because the 2022 election of President Ferdinand Marcos, with Manila pushing again on sweeping Chinese claims within the South China Sea that a global tribunal has dominated are with out advantage.
The US State Department final week authorised a long-mooted sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, although Manila mentioned the deal was “still in the negotiation phase”.
Speaking at Monday’s ceremony, US Major General Christopher Sheppard mentioned that “the pace of our alliance is accelerating”.
Cope Thunder, which is able to proceed by means of April 18, goals to reinforce “asymmetric warfare capabilities”, operational coordination and strategic deterrence, based on the Philippine Air Force.
“Further down the road, we look forward to the seamless transition to exercise Balikatan, which will continue to push the boundaries of our interoperability,” Cordura added.
Like nearly all of Balikatan’s deliberate actions, Cope Thunder will probably be performed on northern Luzon island, the world of the Philippines closest to Taiwan.
As China encircled Taiwan with planes and ships in a simulated blockade final week, Philippine army chief Romeo Brawner warned troops that their nation would “inevitably” be concerned ought to the self-ruled island be invaded.
Beijing insists Taiwan is a part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully carry below its management.
While Manila later mentioned Brawner’s feedback had been primarily referencing efforts to retrieve Filipino staff in Taiwan, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington provides US forces entry to 9 bases within the nation.
One is a naval facility at Cagayan’s Santa Ana about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Taiwan.
During a current go to to Manila, US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth mentioned Washington was “doubling down” on its alliance with the archipelago nation.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country — considering the threats from the Communist Chinese,” he mentioned on March 28.
Published – April 08, 2025 02:11 am IST
