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11 Warships from 5 Nations Sail South China Sea in Balikatan Exercise

Eleven ships from the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the USA sailed together in the South China Sea during Exercise Balikatan. The exercise involves 17,000 personnel from seven countries, including Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand, running until May 8. Japan's Self-Defence Force has expanded its participation under a new defense pact with the Philippines, including sending a destroyer through the Taiwan Strait. The exercise aims to enhance defense interoperability and demonstrate commitment to regional peace and maritime security.

Key Points: 11 Ships from 5 Nations in South China Sea Balikatan Exercise

  • 11 ships from 5 nations sailed through South China Sea
  • Exercise Balikatan includes 17,000 personnel from 7 countries
  • Japan's JSDF participated with expanded roles under new defense pact
  • Japan sent MSDF destroyer through Taiwan Strait for first time since 2024
2 min read

11 ships from five nations sail through South China Sea during multilateral exercise Balikatan

11 ships from Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, and USA sailed in the South China Sea during Exercise Balikatan, a multilateral drill with 17,000 personnel from 7 countries.

"Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity - Philippine Navy"

Manila, April 27

As many as 11 ships from the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the USA sailed together in the South China Sea during Exercise Balikatan on Monday.

Ships from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, US Coast Guard and US Navy are participating in the multilateral maritime event during the exercise..

"Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity," the Philippine Navy stated while highlighting that the exercise addresses challenges, promotes regional stability and maritime security.

The US Navy asserted that the exercise demonstrates a collective commitment to ensuring maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.

The Balikatan, or shoulder-to-shoulder exercise, which runs till May 8, is being joined by a total of 17,000 personnel from seven countries, including Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand.

The military exercise is aimed at enhancing defence interoperability among the participants, including Japan's Self-Defence Force (JSDF) which has joined the large-scale drill with Philippines and United States.

According to Japan's leading Kyodo news agency, since 2012, the JSDF has participated in the disaster response aspect of the annual exercise and held only observer status. A defence pact between Japan and the Philippines that allows reciprocal visits of the two nations' forces, which took effect last year, has expanded the fields of the exercises Japan can participate in.

On April 17, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer J S Ikazuchi sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The vessel is taking part in the Balikatan exercise till May 8.

Kyodo detailed that Tokyo had long refrained from sending MSDF vessels through the strait to avoid provoking Beijing, until September 2024, when the destroyer Sazanami became the first to do so. Two MSDF ships subsequently passed through the strait in February and June 2025.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
These multilateral drills are important for freedom of navigation. But China will surely see this as provocation. Hope diplomacy keeps the peace.
V
Vikram M
Japan sending destroyers through Taiwan Strait is a big shift! They used to avoid it. Things are heating up in the region. India should watch closely. 👀
R
Ravi K
All this military posturing wastes money that could be used for development. Let the countries resolve disputes through talks, not shows of force. Just my opinion.
D
Deepika L
As an Indian, I think these drills are necessary to keep the seas open for trade. But the rhetoric from all sides is concerning. \nBalikatan meaning 'shoulder-to-shoulder' is a nice touch though. 🇵🇭🇺🇸
A
Alexander G
Good display of alliance solidarity. The key is maintaining deterrence without escalating into conflict. India's Act East policy should align with such efforts.
P
Priya S
Why so many foreign navies in our region? The South China Sea should be for all nations, not just the powerful. These exercises sometimes feel like bullying. Respectful disagreement.

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