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4d ago

Largest-Ever Allied Drills in China Sea Deepen Tensions With China

The Philippines, U.S., Australia, and New Zealand conduct expanded joint exercises, while China denounces activities and continues patrols in contested waters.

A New Zealand P-8A maritime patrol aircraft flies over the Australian destroyer HMAS Sydney on a routine surveillance flight in the South China Sea on April 24, 2025.
This photo shows Philippine Rizal-class guided-missile destroyer BRP Antonio Luna taking part in a multilateral maritime cooperative activity involving U.S., Australian, and Philippine naval and air assets in the South China Sea on April 29, 2025.

Overview

  • The 40th Balikatan exercise, the largest in its history, involves 12,000 U.S. and 6,000 Philippine troops, along with Australian and New Zealand forces, highlighting growing regional cooperation.
  • The Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), part of the drills, took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and included air and naval assets from the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines.
  • China’s People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command conducted routine patrols on April 29 and accused the Philippines of provocations and enlisting foreign powers for joint patrols.
  • The Philippine military defended its joint operations with allies, stating they are exercises of sovereign rights and preparedness rather than provocations.
  • Australia’s HMAS Sydney joined the MMCA following prior training missions in the South China Sea, emphasizing a collective commitment to a rules-based international order.