12-11-2023 (MANILA) Japan’s navy has initiated the annual joint military exercise, Annualex, with a significant development this year — the Philippines actively participating as an observer, marking a milestone in their efforts to enhance maritime cooperation.
Commencing on Friday, the Annualex exercise involves naval forces from Japan, the United States, Australia, and Canada. Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Vice Admiral Akira Saito announced the Philippines’ role as an observer during operations conducted aboard the USS Carl Vinson in an undisclosed location in the Pacific Ocean.
Vice Admiral Saito emphasized the importance of the Philippines in Japan’s maritime strategy, stating, “The Philippines is a very important country for us, and we are looking to coordinate with their navy at every possible opportunity.”
While the exercise unfolds amid heightened regional tensions involving China, Vice Admiral Saito clarified that the operations are not aimed at targeting a specific country. The joint efforts come as Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines strive to deepen security cooperation.
In a significant move last week, Japan pledged to provide radar systems to bolster the Philippines’ security. Additionally, both countries initiated negotiations for a reciprocal military access agreement.
Vice Admiral of the U.S. Seventh Fleet Karl Thomas expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “The more that our navies work together, the more multilateral our operations and our exercises are, the greater the security for this region. So I’m thrilled that Japan invited the Philippines to observe this year.”
Highlighting the importance of collaboration among like-minded nations, Vice Admiral Saito stressed that strong cooperation is crucial for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
The Annualex operations are scheduled to last for 10 days and involve 30 ships and 40 aircraft, according to Vice Admiral Saito.
The joint military exercise occurs against the backdrop of recent clashes between the Philippines and China, including a collision in October. Additionally, tensions flared between Japanese and Chinese ships in the East China Sea last month.
In a separate development, the Philippines’ coast guard announced its commitment to maintain regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea. This announcement comes amid expectations of increased presence of Chinese vessels in the area.
