The Philippines is set to hold separate naval exercises this week with both the United States and Japan on an island not far from the contested area of the Spratly Islands. The exercises are a bold move for the Philippines, which has one of the weakest navies in Asia, and which has decided to meet China head-on in its claims for the Spratly Islands.
The move by the Philippines comes not long after China has stated that its land-reclaiming operations in the Spratly Islands are nearing completion. Though the military exercises are to be held separately, the Philippines stated that the drills may intersect due to the country's limited naval assets, reports Reuters.
"At some point all three forces could merge in one activity because we only have two ships and limited aircraft to take part in these exercises," a Philippine military official stated.
U.S. Navy spokesman Arlo Abrahamson has stated that the exercises, dubbed the CARAT Philippines joint exercise, will be held in Palawan Island and will run until June 26, according to Bloomberg. The exercises with the Japanese navy, on the other hand, will not be held until June 27.
"This year's exercise reflects more than two decades of increasingly complex training ashore, at sea and in the air," Abrahamson stated.
The exercises would involve a sea phase with a littoral combat ship, the USS Fort Worth, diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard and a P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft. A Philippine frigate will also be taking part in the exercise, reports Bloomberg.
Japan, on the other hand, will be sending a P-3C anti-submarine, maritime surveillance, and 20 military personnel.
