Philippine, United States Forces To Hold Largest Annual Balikatan Exercises This Month

In the light of increased tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines and the United States are about to undertake its largest iteration of its longest-running bilateral exercises this year, as this now sets to foster strong defense relations far beyond the alliance set by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

A C-130J Super Hercules of the United States Marine Corps unloading
materiel in Subic Bay International Airport. 
(c) Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

The Philippines and the United States are set to hold the Balikatan Exercises 2023, their largest bilateral exercise of the year. The exercises will begin on April 11, 2023, in selective areas of the country, particularly in the Northern Luzon area.

This year's event is expected to be more comprehensive than previous iterations of the Balikatan Exercises, with the Royal Australian Armed Forces joining in. The exercises will run for 18 days, concluding on April 28, 2023, and at least 17,600 military personnel are expected to participate. Of this number, 12,000 are American troops.

The Balikatan Exercises are an annual training event that aims to improve the interoperability of the Philippines and the United States in various areas, such as counter-terrorism, disaster response, and maritime security. It has been conducted since 1991, and this year's event is set to demonstrate the strong partnership between the Philippines, the United States, and Australia.

One of the highlights of this year's exercises is the live-fire phase, which is a first for the conduct of Balikatan. The live-fire exercise will include the sinking of a fishing vessel, which will serve as the target. The sinking of the vessel is expected to showcase the military's capability to protect the country's maritime interests.

The exercises will also include humanitarian and civic assistance projects, such as medical and dental missions, engineering projects, and school refurbishments. These projects aim to improve the lives of the people in the communities where the exercises will be conducted.

The number of participants in this year's Balikatan Exercises is significantly higher than the previous iteration, which had only 8,900 soldiers in attendance. The large number of participants indicates the strong commitment of the Philippines, the United States, and Australia to promoting stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

In summary, the Balikatan Exercises 2023 will showcase the strong partnership between the Philippines, the United States, and Australia. The live-fire exercise and the humanitarian and civic assistance projects demonstrate the military's capability to protect the country's interests while improving the lives of the people in the communities where the exercises will be conducted. The event serves as a symbol of cooperation and mutual defense, promoting stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

(c) 2023 PMAU.

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Finland Officially Becomes a Member of NATO

Finland is now officially the 31st member of the largest defense pact that spans the both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, in which it gives Russia an additional border to the NATO territory, on top of what it already has a border between NATO countries Poland and Lithuania in its territorial exclave of Kaliningrad.

NATO now comprise of at least 31 countries after Finland joined.
Image Source.

In a historic move, Finland has officially become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Finnish president's office and was confirmed by NATO's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg.

The decision to join NATO was made after years of discussion and debate within Finland's government. The move is seen as a significant step towards enhancing Finland's security and strengthening its relationship with the international community.

Regarding this historic development, Finland's President Sauli Niinistö said in a statement: "Finland has today become a member of the defence alliance NATO. The era of military non-alignment in our history has come to an end. A new era begins."

This report comes just after Turkey's Parliament ratified the decision to let Finland join the organization, making it the latest member to join the defense pact designed originally to deter the then Soviet-formed Warsaw Pact, which is now a thing of the past, written into the history books.

The decision to join NATO was not without controversy, however. Some in Finland had expressed concern that the move would lead to increased tension with Russia, which has long been a source of tension in the region. Others argued that Finland's traditionally neutral stance should be maintained.

Despite these concerns, the majority of Finland's government and its people supported the decision to join NATO, and the move is expected to have significant implications for Finland's future security and foreign policy.

With Finland's accession, NATO now has 31 member states, all committed to the organization's fundamental principles of collective defense, democracy, and the rule of law. The addition of Finland to this group is seen as a significant step towards ensuring peace and stability in the region and beyond.

(c) 2023 PMAU.

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Japan Prepares Military Aid to Four Countries, Including the Philippines

As Japan now increases its security budget to improve its defense capabilities, so does its prospects of providing foreign military aid over the top of its usual Official Development Assistance or ODA loans for infrastructure and civilian-related developments like in the case of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Japan's J/FPS-3 Radar, in which similar platforms have recently exported to the Philippines.
Image Source.

In a move aimed at strengthening its ties with like-minded countries, Japan is preparing to provide military aid to four nations in the region, Yomiuri Shimbun detailed on its news report. The framework for the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program is currently being finalized, and the four beneficiary countries have been identified as the Philippines, Bangladesh, Fiji, and Malaysia.

Japan sees the Philippines as a strategic defense partner in the region and plans to provide a radar system as part of its aid package to the country. This is in addition to the J/FPS-3 Air surveillance radars that the Philippine Air Force has already purchased in the defense of its Air Defense Identification Zone. Currently, the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone covers at least 50% of its airspace, with 100% coverage and implementation being its primary goal by 2028.

The details of the aid packages for the other three countries have not been disclosed yet. However, it is expected that Japan will provide them with similar military equipment and technology to enhance their defense capabilities.

Japan's move to provide military aid to like-minded countries comes amid growing concerns over China's assertiveness in the region. Japan has been increasingly worried about China's territorial claims in the East and South China Seas and has been stepping up efforts to build partnerships with other countries in the region.

The OSA program is part of Japan's broader strategy to deepen its security cooperation with other countries. Under the program, Japan provides military equipment and technology to other countries in need, with the aim of enhancing their defense capabilities.

With the finalization of the OSA program framework and the identification of the four beneficiary countries, Japan is expected to start providing military aid soon. The move is likely to strengthen Japan's strategic partnerships in the region and help like-minded countries enhance their defense capabilities.

(c) 2023 PMAU.

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New EDCA Sites Announced, Most Deployed in Northern Luzon Area

The Philippine government has now made it official regarding the additional four (4) EDCA sites that both the Philippines and the United States have agreed to earlier this year.

Four more EDCA sites were in the map, with three out of four sites deployed in Northern Luzon.
(c) Presidential Communications Office

Malacañang Palace has revealed the locations of four new sites that will be included in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States. The announcement was made on Monday, April 4, by the Presidential Communications Office, which quoted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as saying that the sites are "suitable and mutually beneficial" for both countries.

The four new sites are Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan. According to the Presidential Communications Office, these sites are strategically located to defend the country's eastern coast and will enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities.

The EDCA between the Philippines and the United States was signed in 2014 during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. It allows the US military to have access to and use of certain Philippine military bases and facilities for a period of 10 years. The agreement aims to strengthen the alliance between the two countries and enhance their defense capabilities.

The announcement of the new EDCA sites comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and other neighboring countries have competing claims with China. The Philippines has been increasing its defense capabilities in recent years, including through the modernization of its armed forces.

President Marcos Jr. has been a strong advocate of the country's defense modernization and has been pushing for the acquisition of more modern weapons and equipment for the military. He has also been seeking to strengthen the country's alliances with other countries, including the United States and Japan, to ensure the Philippines' security and territorial integrity.

The inclusion of the four new sites in the EDCA is expected to further enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities and contribute to the country's efforts to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reference:

1. CNN Philippines.

(c) 2023 PMAU. 

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