Jabar Ekspres – Japan, the United States and Australia are considering sending their aircraft carriers to the Philippines for a trilateral naval exercise next week in the South China Sea, sources familiar with the matter said Friday (18/8).
The drills, planned for Wednesday next week, come amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila after a Chinese coast guard ship earlier this month fired water cannons at a Philippine military charter vessel near the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
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The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has decided to send its largest destroyer, Izumo, which will become a de facto aircraft carrier after undergoing additional renovations scheduled to begin next year or 2025, according to the sources.
The Australian Navy will deploy the amphibious assault ship Canberra, while the US Navy is expected to send an American amphibious assault ship, the sources said.
The joint exercise is planned to include aircraft take-off and landing drills using the decks of three ships of the three countries.
The exercise was conducted to demonstrate the commitment of the United States and allies to upholding freedom of navigation, according to the source.
Izumo plans to dock on Friday next week in Manila, the source said.
Philippine forces have canceled their participation in the joint exercise because the other three countries’ aircraft are too large to land on the decks of Philippine warships, according to the source.
However, commanders from the four countries may gather in the Philippine capital to send a “strong message”, the source said.
The four countries have considered conducting joint maritime patrols and naval exercises, but the plan failed to reach an agreement, according to the source.
Facing military pressure and Beijing’s increasing activities in the South China Sea, Manila has so far focused on enhancing security cooperation with Tokyo, Washington and Canberra.
