DefenceTalkJapan will lease military aircraft to the Philippines in another sign of deepening security ties between the two former foes to counter Beijing’s increasing regional influence. The agreement was made Monday afternoon during telephone talks between Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin, the ministry said. Tensions in the South China […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-agrees-to-lease-military-aircraft-to-philippines-67387/

DefenceTalkA U.S. Pacific Command air contingent began flying operations at Clark Air Base on April 19 with the successful launch of four A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and two HH-60G Pave Hawks. The aircraft are part of the newly stood up air contingent here conducting operations ranging from air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pacaf-a-10s-hh-60s-fly-first-air-contingent-missions-in-philippines-67325/

DefenceTalkUS forces will gain access to more military bases in the Philippines than the five already announced, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said Wednesday as he began a visit to the longstanding Asian ally. Manila announced this year it would allow US forces to use five of its installations, including an air base close to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-forces-to-gain-access-to-more-philippine-bases-carter-67248/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines on Sunday hailed a new accord giving the US military access to five of its bases, saying this would strengthen its defensive capabilities and maritime security. The agreement between the two close allies comes as the Philippines and other countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-says-defense-strengthened-under-us-rotational-deal-67100/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines has called for joint patrols with the United States in the disputed South China Sea, where Manila has festering territorial dispute with Beijing, a defense department spokesman said Thursday. The remarks came after the Philippine’s Supreme Court upheld a 10-year security agreement opening the door for the US to operate more troops and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-seeks-joint-patrols-with-us-in-south-china-sea-66374/

DefenceTalkThe Philippine Supreme Court ruled Tuesday a security accord with the United States was legal, allowing more US forces into the former American colony as it seeks to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea. The 10-year agreement, signed in 2014 but not implemented due to legal challenges, will see more US troops and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-welcomes-more-us-forces-to-counter-china-66339/

DefenceTalkKorea Aerospace Industries Ltd., South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, said Friday that it has made the first delivery of its multi-mission jets to the Philippines, further solidifying its status as an aircraft exporter. The two FA-50PH took off from Sacheon, 437 kilometers south of Seoul, to make the 2,482 kilometer “ferry flight” to the Philippines. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kai-makes-first-delivery-of-fighter-jets-to-the-philippines-65914/

DefenceTalkManila: America’s Pacific commander held talks with the Philippine military Wednesday on ways to strengthen US capacity in the region to deter conflict and maintain freedom of navigation, a Filipino spokesman said. Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, outlined a freshly drafted Pentagon report highlighting issues in the South China Sea, where […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-philippines-boosting-military-capacity-65171/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines can only afford a “frugal” military upgrade, defence officials said Monday, even though maritime tensions with China are growing. Despite a proposed 25 percent rise in next year’s defence budget, the government must still divide resources between external defence and internal threats like insurgencies and natural disasters, Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-cant-afford-military-modernization-65050/

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday that Washington’s pledge to defend the Pacific nation remains “ironclad” and called for an end to land reclamation in the South China Sea, officials said. In talks in Hawaii with Voltaire Gazmin, Philippine secretary of national defense, the Pentagon chief “reaffirmed” the strong ties […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-affirms-ironclad-promise-to-defend-philippines-64343/