US, Australia, and Philippines conduct second joint drills in South China Seasecond joint drills in South China Sea this year
The United States, Australia, and Philippines held their second joint maritime drills in the South China Sea on April 13, 2026, focusing on cooperation and freedom of navigation within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. These exercises precede the larger annual Balikatan war games starting April 20, which will feature Japan as a full participant for the first time alongside Australia.
The drills highlight growing military interoperability among the allies amid ongoing territorial disputes with China in the region. They signal Manila's strategy to strengthen partnerships and uphold international maritime rights, potentially heightening tensions with Beijing.
- **Balikatan** began in 1981 to boost US-Philippine defense ties post-Marcos ouster.
- **Tagalog**, the Philippine national language, names **Balikatan** 'shoulder-to-shoulder.'
- PCA, founded in 1899, hosts key maritime rulings like Philippines vs. China.
US-China Military Escalation Indo-Pacific
The United States conducted its first operational firing of the Typhon mid-range missile system from the Philippines on May 5, 2026, during joint exercises with Manila, Japan, Australia, France, Canada, and New Zealand. The Tomahawk cruise missile traveled over 600 kilometers from Leyte to strike a target in Nueva Ecija, demonstrating long-range strike capability that can reach the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and parts of mainland China. China condemned the deployment as provocative and responded with its own naval drills, while tensions escalated further when Taiwan's coast guard expelled a Chinese research vessel suspected of conducting underwater surveillance near the island.
