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In an effort to improve its naval combat skills and readiness to address security issues in the region, Manila on Wednesday launched a joint exercise with the US and seven partner nations.
Practice Sama In 1994, the Philippines and the United States established Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Sama), which took on its current name in 2017. It aims to promote regional collaboration, foster interoperability, and address unconventional problems.
From October 2 to October 13, more than 1,800 navy personnel, including those from Japan, Canada, the UK, Australia, and France, are participating in the maneuvers. New Zealand and Indonesia are sending observers.
Sama Sama provides member nations with the tools to “face an array of threats together,” from territorial defense to combating transnational crimes, according to Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr.
This action gives the Philippine Navy a crucial platform for capacity building and gives us the ability to hone our naval warfare capabilities. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Adaci remarked, “This exercise improves our preparation to handle a wide spectrum of security threats.
This year, the US Navy and we will focus on interoperability drills to strengthen our readiness for combined operations against evolving threats.
“With this display of power and the enthusiastic participation of our partners and allies, Sama Sama goes beyond (ordinary) military drills. It is a representation of our ongoing alliances and our shared dedication to safety and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the official continued.
As tensions over territorial claims in the South China Sea between Manila and Beijing continue to grow, the exercises are taking place.
In the richly resourced South China Sea, the Philippines and China have frequently clashed as Beijing upheld its claim to the entire area while other countries have their own claims.
This year, there have been multiple incidents between two nations’ ships in areas that Manila claims are a part of its exclusive economic zones.
Sama Sama also highlights the Philippines and the US’s renewed defense cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office this year, after relations between the two countries deteriorated under the previous government of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had a stronger inclination toward Beijing.
The Philippines wanted to strengthen its territorial defense capabilities with Sama Sama, according to Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.
“We can’t go it alone when it comes to territorial defense. Therefore, we must make the most of our ties and alliances with other like-minded countries. We are doing it” Brawner told Arab News.
The conduct of joint operations with our allies is a component of our defensive stance in the West Philippine Sea. Therefore, the joint sail and exercises are all a part of our overall defensive posture build-up in the area.
Source- Arab News
