DefenceTalkTwo Japanese destroyers and one of the Philippines’ newest warships began historic naval exercises in the flashpoint South China Sea on Tuesday, showcasing a deepening alliance aimed at countering a rising China. The day-long war games, the first bilateral naval exercises between the former World War II enemies, took place less than 300 kilometres (186 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-and-japan-hold-historic-naval-drills-in-flashpoint-waters-64190/

DefenceTalkBeijing is poised to take “de facto control” of the South China Sea, the Philippines warned Sunday, but its call for a robust Southeast Asian response at a regional summit was shot down. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the strategic body of water, but Beijing claims nearly all of it, and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-poised-to-take-de-facto-control-of-south-china-sea-philippines-63994/

DefenceTalkThousands of American and Filipino soldiers on Monday will kick off expanded wargames, showcasing a deepening defence alliance as alarm bells ring over China. The 10-day exercises in the Philippines are an annual affair between the longtime allies, but this time they will involve double the number of soldiers as last year in a sign […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-philippines-wargames-to-start-under-chinas-shadow-63896/

DefenceTalkThe United States has lifted restrictions on a small portion of its military assistance to the Philippines that was withheld over human rights concerns, the foreign minister said Thursday. The gesture affects about $15 million dollars that have been withheld over the last five years, a fraction of Washington’s total military assistance to the South […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-says-us-has-lifted-restrictions-on-military-aid-funds-62089/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines’ foreign minister on Thursday slammed China’s attempts to build islands in the disputed South China Sea, prompting Beijing to accuse Manila of making “trouble out of nothing”. Albert del Rosario repeated a warning that Beijing was reclaiming land around isolated reefs in the South China Sea to turn them into islands which could […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-slams-china-island-building-as-beijing-hits-back-62086/

DefenceTalkAs fears grow that China is on an aggressive South China Sea territorial grab, a sleepy Philippine village is being transformed into a major naval base that may host US warships. Ulugan Bay, a small, picturesque cove encircled by thick mangroves, has suddenly become a vital part of the Philippine military’s efforts to shore up […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-fears-spur-philippine-naval-upgrade-59901/

DefenceTalkThousands of American and Philippine troops launched large annual exercises on Monday after US President Barack Obama vowed “ironclad” backing for its Asian ally, locked in a tense maritime row with China. Filipino Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the 10-day drills were necessary to deal with the challenge of “aggressive” neighbours intent on “changing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-philippines-launch-war-games-after-obama-pledge-59495/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines and the United States announced they would sign an agreement on Monday to allow a greater US military presence on Filipino soil for the next decade. The deal will be signed in Manila a few hours before US President Barack Obama is due to arrive for a two-day visit to the Philippines, one […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-us-to-sign-defense-pact-59423/

DefenceTalkBell Helicopter announced it has signed a purchase agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) for eight Bell 412EP helicopters. The aircraft will be delivered to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) fully configured and equipped with advanced features to meet the DND’s modernization requirements. “We are honored that the Philippine Department of National […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-to-finance-sale-of-8-bell-412eps-to-philippines-59222/

DefenceTalkKorea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) won a contract to export 12 FA-50s to the Philippines for Philippine Air Force’s multi-purpose fighter purchase project in a government-to-government way on March 28th. This contract including training is valued at $420 million and the company will completely deliver 12 aircraft within 38 months after the deal goes into […]https://www.defencetalk.com/korea-aerospace-to-export-12-fa-50s-to-the-philippines-59212/