Japan to join US-Philippines military drills for first time: ‘knowing your friend’
Australia also joins the fray as the US and its allies shift away from simple bilateral deals towards tighter regional security networks
Officials and analysts say the move signals an operational shift away from simple bilateral engagements towards tight-knit “minilateral” security coordination among US allies, with a growing focus on remote island defence and contingencies in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
The drills are scheduled to run in two phases – the first from April to May and the second in June following the larger Balikatan exercise – covering joint combined arms training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, capacity building and expert exchanges.
Nafarrete said Japan’s inclusion added a new layer of strategic coordination. “It is more about knowing our interoperability with the Japanese Army. This is the first time. Knowing your friend,” he told reporters.