US, Philippines wrap up Balikatan military drills with HIMARS strikes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Apr 2023 10:11

The US and the Philippines execute precision strikes on naval training targets in the contested South China Sea as the US seeks to increase its military presence within China's neighboring countries.

Filipino troops prepare to fire artillery shells in a joint live-fire drill with the US army during the 'Balikatan' drills New Clark City, Philipines, 14 April 2023. (AP)

The US and Philippines wrapped up their largest-ever military training after troops conducted a joint fire drill in the contested waters of the South China Sea on Wednesday.

Groups of the two armies blasted a supposed enemy warship placed in disputed waters North of Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, was in attendance at the military exercise, as he watched the proceedings from an observation tower alongside US and Philippine officials

"No Hollywood effects this morning, this is old-fashioned training," stated Lieutenant Colonel Nick Mannweiler, a US Marine Corps Public Affairs Officer.

US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rockets were fired at a decommissioned Philippine Navy Corvette situated 22 kilometers off the Philippine coast. Later, artillery units positioned on land fired at drum targets placed 10 kilometers offshore.

Annual 'Balikatan' exercises

The joint-drill exercises seek to strengthen the US-allied government's military capabilities, as the Biden administration aims to intensify instability around China's borders.

The large-scale drills encompassed 18,000 Filipino Troops, dubbed the 'Balikatan' or 'shoulder-to-shoulder' exercises, began on April 11 and involved helicopter landing, artillery shelling, and naval drills.

The American military envoy boasted their Patriot air defense systems during the exercises.

Earlier in March, Major General Marvin Licudine, the Philippines' exercise chief, said at the opening ceremony of the drills, "The highlight of the exercise will be the combined joint littoral live-fire exercise, which aims to rehearse joint and combined tactics techniques and procedures to execute maritime strike."

Increased US military presence on China's borders

The Chinese government has been heavily critical of US activity among its neighboring countries and even launched a military drill exercise on April 8 in response to Taiwan's President Tsai Ing Wen's meeting with US officials.

The annual Balikatan military drills take place after the US announced that it will boost its military presence in the region, by adding 4 new military bases in the Philippines and its islands, which are in close proximity to China.