China says its navy and air force conducted combat patrols near Scarborough Shoal as a response to protect territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea. The move comes as the Philippines and the United States, along with Australia and New Zealand, run annual regional drills showcasing advanced weapons and readiness. The patrols are framed as maintaining peace amid growing tensions.
Philippine and US forces are holding large-scale Balikatan counter-landing drills in Palawan, rehearsing coastal defense and repelling mock assaults near the South China Sea. The exercises are billed as the largest to date, with Japan participating for the first time. Allies are practicing to protect vital resources while demonstrating readiness amid rising regional tensions.
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The Philippines will debut India’s newly acquired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Balikatan 2026 war games, using a simulation firing mode rather than live launches. Delivered from a $375 million 2022 deal, the land-based system is already integrated with the Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense Regiment. The exercise, featuring 17,000 troops, underscores rising deterrence near the South China Sea.
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