The Star: Philippines, US to hold largest ever joint military drills
The Philippines and the United States will hold the largest joint military exercise in the history of the two countries from April 11th, with the corresponding decision made against the backdrop of China’s military activity in the Taiwan Strait, TASS reports
According to The Star newspaper, at least 17,000 soldiers will take part in the drills: 5,000 Filipinos, 12,000 Americans and 111 Australians. This year, the number of participants is almost twice as large as last year, the newspaper writes. The drills will also cover a large area. According to the newspaper, the US-Filipino manoeuvres will take place after the end of the Chinese.
TASS recalled that the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had previously announced that on April 8th-10th, China was conducting drills in the Taiwan Strait, as well as in the waters to the north, south and east of the island, dubbed ‘United Sharp Sword’. At the same time, patrols are carried out around Taiwan.
