In a significant move towards strengthening regional security ties, Japan and the Philippines have conducted their first joint naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea.
Featured Destroyers and Leading Ships
These drills come in the wake of a newly signed defense cooperation treaty between the two nations earlier this July, according to Tech.
The naval exercise featured Japan's Takanami-class destroyer JS Sazanami and the Philippine Navy's missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal. The JS Sazanami, commissioned in 2005, is equipped with advanced sonar and radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and a range of weaponry including 20mm guns, naval artillery, torpedo launchers, and missile systems. The destroyer also boasts a helicopter hangar and landing pad, typically housing SH-60J anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
On the other hand, the BRP Jose Rizal, one of the Philippine Navy's leading ships, was built in South Korea and has been in service since 2019. The 107-meter-long frigate is manned by approximately 110 crew members and is similarly well-armed. It also features a helicopter deck, which usually accommodates the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat.
A Response to China and Russia
The joint maneuvers included communication and tactical exercises, underscoring the deepening military collaboration between Japan and the Philippines. This partnership is seen as a strategic response to China's increasing assertiveness in the region.
The Philippines Armed Forces highlighted that these joint operations are part of broader efforts to enhance regional and international cooperation aimed at realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific. This initiative reflects the two countries' commitment to ensuring stability and security in the face of growing geopolitical challenges.
These exercises mark a notable development in the defense relationship between Japan and the Philippines, particularly against the backdrop of Japan's ongoing territorial disputes with Russia over the Kuril Islands. Although Japan formally does not maintain an army, its Self-Defense Forces have been actively engaging in regional security collaborations, demonstrating their pivotal role in maintaining regional balance and security.
