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The Diplomat
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Exercise Cope Thunder 2025: Boosting Philippines-US Defense Cooperation
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) held the second part of this year's Cope Thunder exercise from July 7 to July 18 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, the PAF commanding general, and Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler, the commander of the 421st Fighter Squadron, PACAF, led the opening ceremony. Cope Thunder, which was founded in the Philippines in 1976, moved to Eielson Air Force Base in the U.S. state of Alaska in 1992 and changed its name to Red Flag Alaska. It then moved back to the Philippines, taking the Cope Thunder name, in 2023. From its inception, the exercise was created to provide aircrews experience with combat in a realistic training setting. The drill swiftly developed into the 'premier simulated combat airpower employment exercise' for the PACAF. Cope Thunder's objective was to improve the aircrews' chances of surviving in war situations. Cope Thunder provides a unique opportunity to strengthen interoperability and integrate troops between the U.S. and Philippine air forces. The goal of the contemporary Cope Thunder exercises is to improve alliance preparedness and joint interoperability among participating units by facilitating bilateral fighter training with the Philippine Air Force. The July exercises expanded on the first portion of Cope Thunder held held from April 7-April 18, 2025. The latest iteration involved a greater number of PAF personnel and more realistic drills to prepare the allied partners for greater security challenges. With a focus on improving alliance interoperability and bilateral fighter integration, the exercise involved over 2,500 people, including 2,300 from the PAF and 225 from the PACAF. As part of the aerial combat exercises between Washington and Manila, U.S. Air Force F-35s conducted their first flight over Philippine land. The F-35 is capable of gathering and sharing real-time battlefield intelligence through advanced sensors and data links, further allowing it to coordinate with other forces and direct operations across land, air, and sea. Two years ago, the Air Force sent its other fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 Raptor, to the Philippines for the initial Cope Thunder exercises. Embedding fifth‑gen U.S. aircraft within Philippine drills advances a forward‑deployed deterrence posture, reinforcing Philippine-U.S. alliance commitments in the face of regional security pressures. Furthermore, particularly under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which permits the U.S. military to access and use designated Philippine military bases for joint training, exercises, and humanitarian assistance, the F-35 deployment seems to validate the Philippines' growing role as a crucial frontline state in containing China. Notably, in spite of Beijing's opposition, Manila allowed the U.S. access to four more EDCA sites in 2023, increasing the total to nine. The Philippines and the United States signed a treaty on mutual defense in 1951. An attack on either side would force the Philippines-U.S. alliance to respond and 'meet the common dangers' – a provision that may come into play in the South China Sea, where Beijing and Manila have conflicting claims to islands and reefs. The 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty commitments are reflected in their joint exercises and military training, highlighting common objectives of increasing preparedness, bolstering deterrence, and promoting peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The deployment of F-35s to the Philippines is a significant development in U.S. strategy in Southeast Asia. The Philippines and other U.S. allies are being actively integrated into a larger nodal defense network. In addition to enhancing Manila's defense capabilities to support the U.S. in a potential conflict in the South China Sea or Taiwan, the Cope Thunder exercise provided an opportunity to test the cooperation between U.S. F-35s and Philippine FA-50s. The exercise involved comprehensive training across air and ground domains, which further reinforces the Philippine-U.S. defense bond and signals forward regional deterrence. The exercise would perhaps enhance the PAF's tactical evolution and readiness benchmarks, paving the way for future aircraft acquisitions and deeper strategic operations. Given its geographic location, the Philippines is an essential ally for the U.S. defense of Taiwan. General Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, issued a warning in April that China was attempting to infiltrate the Philippine military and other institutions and that, in the event that Taiwan was invaded, the Philippines would 'inevitably' be engaged. China is the biggest threat to U.S. security, according to the Trump administration. Furthermore, more than any other region, Washington's long-term objectives are rooted in the United States' relative position in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, to counter China's aggression, the United States has been investing in its security alliances with allies who have the political will to go above and beyond. Amid the Trump administration's halt on foreign aid, the United States exempted $336 million on February 21 for the modernization of the Philippine security forces. Cope Thunder 2025 also contributes to the Philippine military's modernization and capability development efforts to maintain regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise also marks another important milestone in the advancement of joint interoperability and mutual defense readiness between the PAF and PACAF. Given the Philippines' ongoing strategic significance, the Philippines-U.S. alliance is expected to continue to play a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region. Both the Philippines and the United States are hopeful that their partnership will continue to grow and that security cooperation will continue in the years to come.
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines eyes multirole fighter jets for ‘credible deterrence' against China
The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a 'niche air force' capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden's Gripen. Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea , expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced range and weapons capacity, but remain limited compared with full-fledged multirole fighters (MRF). Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura said he welcomed the additional FA-50s but stressed that more advanced platforms were needed to meet the country's defence goals. He said acquiring true MRFs would allow the PAF to project credible strength across the Philippine archipelago and its maritime zones. 'We cannot be at par with China even 10 to 20 years from now. That's the reality here,' Cordura said during a media briefing on June 24, ahead of the PAF's 78th founding anniversary. 'But we can project what we call credible deterrence. They will think twice if they will intrude into the country.' A Philippine Air Force helicopter passes above Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a joint maritime activity with the US in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June. Photo: EPA-EFE Cordura confirmed that the air force had submitted its preferred choice of MRF to the Department of National Defence (DND), although he declined to name the specific model.
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PH not discounting possibility of acquiring Japanese fighter jets
The Philippines is not discounting the possibility of acquiring Japanese fighter jets in the future, Philippine Air Force (PAF) commanding general Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura said Tuesday. ''Mitsubishi fighters, the Japanese-made multi-roles (fighter aircraft) are very potential platforms also. The selection for the multi-role will depend upon the appreciation of the department in terms of how these are incorporated, this can be effectively incorporated in the whole CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept) concept ano,'' Cordura told reporters. ''So it does not discount later, perhaps, platforms coming also from Japan if they will serve the purpose of our territorial defense plan,'' added Cordura. Cordura said the Official Security Assistance from Japan would provide the Philippines with avenues ''to increase or enhance our capabilities particularly on maritime domain awareness.'' ''Our priority here is our sensors, 'yung mga radars natin. In addition, OSA allows us avenue to access HADR platforms also and equipment; so these are amongst the capability requirements that are already incorporated and up for obligation under the OSA to be delivered by our partner that is Japan,'' he said. He also mentioned that the defense relationship between Manila and Tokyo was healthy and ''progressively increasing.'' Early this year, it was announced that the Philippines would be on the priority list of Japan's military aid. Since Japan established the OSA in April 2023, the Philippines has been the biggest recipient of the non-combat military assistance, with the Philippine Navy receiving coastal surveillance radars to improve its maritime domain awareness. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Daily Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Philippines, US launch joint drills aimed at 'deterrence'
The Philippine and US air forces kicked off joint exercises Monday aimed at boosting operational coordination and enhancing "strategic deterrence", Manila's military said. The drills follow months of confrontations between Bejing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea, with significantly larger US-Philippine air, land and sea exercises set for late April. "Enhancing combat readiness and elevating joint mission effectiveness" would be central to the Cope Thunder exercise, Philippine Air Force commander Arthur Cordura said Monday at a ceremony to launch the drills. Military ties between the Philippines and United States have deepened since the 2022 election of President Ferdinand Marcos, with Manila pushing back on sweeping Chinese claims in the South China Sea that an international tribunal has ruled are without merit. The US State Department last week approved a long-mooted sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was "still in the negotiation phase". Speaking at Monday's ceremony, US Major General Christopher Sheppard said that "the pace of our alliance is accelerating". Cope Thunder, which will continue through April 18, aims to enhance "asymmetric warfare capabilities", operational coordination and strategic deterrence, according to the Philippine Air Force. "Further down the road, we look forward to the seamless transition to exercise Balikatan, which will continue to push the boundaries of our interoperability," Cordura added. Like the majority of Balikatan's planned activities, Cope Thunder will be conducted on northern Luzon island, the area of the Philippines closest to Taiwan. As China encircled Taiwan with planes and ships in a simulated blockade last week, Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner warned troops that their country would "inevitably" be involved should the self-ruled island be invaded. Beijing insists Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully bring under its control. While Manila later said Brawner's comments were primarily referencing efforts to retrieve Filipino workers in Taiwan, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington gives US forces access to nine bases in the country. One is a naval facility at Cagayan's Santa Ana about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Taiwan. During a recent visit to Manila, US Defence Chief Pete Hegseth said Washington was "doubling down" on its alliance with the archipelago nation. "Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country -- considering the threats from the Communist Chinese," he said on March 28.
Japan Times
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Philippines, U.S. launch joint drills aimed at 'deterrence'
The Philippine and U.S. air forces kicked off joint exercises Monday aimed at boosting operational coordination and enhancing "strategic deterrence," Manila's military said. The drills follow months of confrontations between Beijing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea, with significantly larger U.S.-Philippine air, land and sea exercises set for late April. "Enhancing combat readiness and elevating joint mission effectiveness" would be central to the Cope Thunder exercise, Philippine Air Force commander Arthur Cordura said Monday at a ceremony to launch the drills. Military ties between the Philippines and United States have deepened since the 2022 election of President Ferdinand Marcos, with Manila pushing back on sweeping Chinese claims in the South China Sea that an international tribunal has ruled are without merit. The U.S. State Department last week approved a long-mooted sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was "still in the negotiation phase." Speaking at Monday's ceremony, U.S. Major General Christopher Sheppard said that "the pace of our alliance is accelerating." Cope Thunder, which will continue through April 18, aims to enhance "asymmetric warfare capabilities," operational coordination and strategic deterrence, according to the Philippine Air Force. "Further down the road, we look forward to the seamless transition to exercise Balikatan, which will continue to push the boundaries of our interoperability," Cordura added. Like the majority of Balikatan's planned activities, Cope Thunder will be conducted on northern Luzon island, the area of the Philippines closest to Taiwan. As China encircled Taiwan with planes and ships in a simulated blockade last week, Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner warned troops that their country would "inevitably" be involved should the self-ruled island be invaded. Beijing insists Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to forcefully bring it under its control. While Manila later said Brawner's comments were primarily referencing efforts to retrieve Filipino workers in Taiwan, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington gives U.S. forces access to nine bases in the country. One is a naval facility at Cagayan's Santa Ana about 400 kilometers from Taiwan. During a recent visit to Manila, U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth said Washington was "doubling down" on its alliance with the archipelago nation. "Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country — considering the threats from the Communist Chinese," he said on March 28.
