Manila, April 28: On Monday, a total of 11 vessels from the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United States set sail in the South China Sea. This joint maritime power display was part of the military exercise known as ‘Balikatan.’
The multinational drill includes the armed forces of the Philippines, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy.
According to the Philippine Navy, ‘Balikatan’ is an annual exercise that highlights the partnership between the Philippines and the United States. Its primary aim is to enhance collaborative capabilities and maintain peace and stability in the region.
The U.S. Navy emphasized that this exercise demonstrates the commitment of all participating nations to uphold maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ‘Balikatan’ exercise will continue until May 8, involving approximately 17,000 troops from seven countries, including Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
The goal of this exercise is to improve coordination among the armed forces of all participating nations. Japan’s Self-Defense Force is also taking part, having significantly increased its involvement in this drill alongside the Philippines and the United States.
As reported by Japan’s Kyodo News, since 2012, Japan’s Self-Defense Force had only participated in disaster relief roles and acted as an observer. However, a defense agreement between the Philippines and Japan last year has allowed Japan to engage more actively in various exercises.
On April 17, Japan’s warship ‘JS Ikazuchi’ passed through the Taiwan Strait and is also participating in the Balikatan exercise, which runs until May 8.
Kyodo reported that Japan previously refrained from sending its vessels through the Taiwan Strait to avoid provoking China. However, in September 2024, Japanese ship ‘Sazanami’ made the passage for the first time, followed by additional crossings in February and June 2025.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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