US, Japan, and Philippines conduct joint naval drills in contested waters

In March 2025, in the waters of the South China Sea, the United States, Japan, and the Philippines conducted joint naval exercises amid increasing tensions with China. These maneuvers aimed at enhancing crisis readiness and improving coordination among the allied forces. As tensions escalated, a Chinese military ship monitored the exercises from a distance, prompting Philippine naval forces to issue warnings to prevent the vessel from encroaching closer to their territory. The drills included the participation of various naval assets, demonstrating a show of force and solidarity among the three nations. During the same month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an expansion of military capabilities in the Philippines. This initiative included the deployment of advanced weaponry such as the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, as well as improved cooperation in areas like defense industrial collaboration and cyber defense. Hegseth's visit marked an effort to strengthen U.S.-Philippines ties and counter China's assertiveness in the region. The Philippines has been facing prolonged territorial disputes with China, particularly concerning the Scarborough Shoal, which has seen heightened confrontations in recent years. As part of a broader strategic framework, the U.S. and the Philippines agreed to prioritize industrial cooperation in defense, cybersecurity, and logistics support. This plan aims to bolster the Philippines' capabilities in developing its defense systems and enhancing its regional defense roles. The Pentagon emphasized the urgency of re-establishing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific area, addressing what Hegseth described as a period of