US, Philippines Plan Record Military Drills as War Threats Grow
Mint·12h ago·Fear
What Happened
Over 17,000 military personnel from the US, Philippines, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand will conduct joint exercises from April 20 to May 8. The Balikatan drills exceed the 2024 record of 16,000 participants. Seventeen additional nations will observe. Exercises cover maritime security, coastal defense, and cyber operations. The drills respond to tensions with China over South China Sea territorial disputes and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Key Entities
PhilippinesUnited StatesChinaAustraliaJapanCanadaFranceNew ZealandSouth China SeaBalikatan exercisesMischief ReefSecond Thomas Shoal