The deployment of the F-22s, which are among the most advanced fighter jets in the world, is part of a larger operation between the US and Philippine armed forces, known as the Balikatan exercise. This annual exercise is designed to strengthen military ties and enhance interoperability between the two countries.
The Balikatan exercise, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, is the latest demonstration of the strong military alliance between the US and the Philippines. It comes at a time of increased tension in the South China Sea, where China has been building and militarizing artificial islands, and claiming territorial waters that are also claimed by the Philippines and other countries in the region.
The US has been a long-time ally of the Philippines and has provided military aid and assistance to the country for decades. In recent years, the two countries have deepened their security cooperation, with the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in 2014, which allows US troops to access Philippine military bases on a rotational basis.
The deployment of the F-22s is seen as a significant boost to the Philippine military’s capability to defend its airspace against external threats. The F-22 is known for its advanced stealth technology, which makes it difficult to detect by radar, and its ability to engage targets at long range with precision-guided munitions.
The US and the Philippines have been conducting joint military exercises for decades, but the Balikatan exercise has taken on added significance in recent years due to China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China, but Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling and has continued to build and militarize artificial islands in the disputed waters.
The deployment of the F-22s is likely to be viewed with concern by China, which sees the presence of US military forces in the region as a threat to its territorial claims. However, the US has repeatedly emphasized that its presence in the region is aimed at promoting stability and security, and that it does not take sides in territorial disputes.
The Philippines, for its part, has been seeking to modernize its military and enhance its defense capabilities in order to deal with external threats. The deployment of the F-22s is a significant step in this direction, and is likely to be seen as a demonstration of the country’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In conclusion, the deployment of the F-22s to the Philippines is a significant development in the longstanding military alliance between the US and the Philippines. It is a demonstration of the deepening security cooperation between the two countries, and a signal to external powers that the Philippines is committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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