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Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
The harsh reality behind Hegseth's fine words in Singapore
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arriving for a trilateral meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31. PHOTO: REUTERS Ten years ago this month, I was invited by the US government to travel in a US Marine Corp MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft transporting then US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for a flight over the Malacca Strait – a gesture meant to emphasise America's muscular commitment to South-east Asia, and determination to keep the sea lanes of communication open. Mr Carter, a veteran Pentagon official who rose to the top job after serving 11 secretaries of defence, had told the American media just weeks earlier that in terms of the Barack Obama administration's 'rebalance' to Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement 'is as important to me as another aircraft carrier. It would deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting commitment to the Asia-Pacific'. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Philippines, US test air defences as China seizes reef
PHILIPPINES: Missiles fired off the coast of the northern Philippines Sunday as US and Filipino forces conducted their first integrated defence drills, hours after China said it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila. The Philippines and China have been engaged in months of confrontations over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. As many as 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual 'Balikatan' exercises, which this year will simulate a 'full-scale battle scenario' as the treaty allies seek to deter China's ambitions in the disputed waterway. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday reported that the country's coast guard had 'implemented maritime control' over Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, this month. The tiny sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and site of a Philippine military facility. The Philippine government has yet to formally respond to the claim. In coastal Zambales province, hours north of the capital Manila, AFP journalists watched Sunday as the US Marine Corp's new MADIS short-range air defence system knocked a pair of drones from the sky. The coastal defence exercise saw MADIS work in concert with the Philippines' SPYDER missile system, defending it from drone attack as it targeted simulated incoming cruise missiles. 'MADIS is short-range. SPYDER is more of a medium-range capability (and they) both engaged different threats,' said Matthew Sladek, commander of the US 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. 'The more we work together, that only ... enhances our collective lethality.' Chinese warships have been spotted in waters near the Philippines since the Balikatan exercises kicked off last week.
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Philippines, US test air defences as China seizes reef
Some 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual 'Balikatan' exercises, which will simulate a 'full-scale battle scenario'. PHOTO: EPA-EFE MANILA - Missiles fired off the coast of the northern Philippines on April 27 as US and Filipino forces conducted their first integrated defence drills, hours after China said it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila. The Philippines and China have been engaged in months of confrontations over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. As many as 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual 'Balikatan' exercises, which in 2025 will simulate a 'full-scale battle scenario' as the treaty allies seek to deter China's ambitions in the disputed waterway. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on April 26 reported that the country's coast guard had 'implemented maritime control' over Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, in April. The tiny sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and site of a Philippine military facility. The Philippine government has yet to formally respond to the claim. In coastal Zambales province, hours north of the capital Manila, AFP journalists watched on April 27 as the US Marine Corp's new Madis short-range air defence system knocked a pair of drones from the sky. The coastal defence exercise saw Madis work in concert with the Philippines' Spyder missile system, defending it from drone attack as it targeted simulated incoming cruise missiles. 'Madis is short-range. Spyder is more of a medium-range capability (and they) both engaged different threats,' said Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Sladek, commander of the US 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. 'The more we work together, that only... enhances our collective lethality.' Chinese warships have been spotted in waters near the Philippines since the Balikatan exercises kicked off last week. The aircraft carrier Shandong on April 22 'was detected underway 2.23 nautical miles (about 4km) south-west' of the Philippines' far northern Babuyan Island, the navy reported. On April 27, the Philippine Navy said three other vessels had been spotted a day before about 60km from Zambales. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth in March told an audience in Manila that the United States was 'doubling down' on its alliance with the country, noting the necessity of deterrence 'considering the threats from the Communist Chinese'. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun has since slammed the Balikatan exercises as a blow to regional stability. On April 28, Balikatan will continue with troops simulating defending against an enemy landing force along a stretch of southern Palawan island. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Khaleej Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Philippines, US test air defences as China seizes reef
Missiles fired off the coast of the northern Philippines on Sunday as US and Filipino forces conducted their first integrated defence drills, hours after China said it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila. The Philippines and China have been engaged in months of confrontations over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. As many as 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual "Balikatan" exercises, which this year will simulate a "full-scale battle scenario" as the treaty allies seek to deter China's ambitions in the disputed waterway. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday reported that the country's coast guard had "implemented maritime control" over Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, this month. The tiny sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and site of a Philippine military facility. The Philippine government has yet to formally respond to the claim. In coastal Zambales province, hours north of the capital Manila, AFP journalists watched Sunday as the US Marine Corp's new MADIS short-range air defence system knocked a pair of drones from the sky. The coastal defence exercise saw MADIS work in concert with the Philippines' SPYDER missile system, defending it from drone attack as it targeted simulated incoming cruise missiles. "MADIS is short-range. SPYDER is more of a medium-range capability (and they) both engaged different threats," said Matthew Sladek, commander of the US 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. "The more we work together, that only ... enhances our collective lethality." Blow to regional stability Chinese warships have been spotted in waters near the Philippines since the Balikatan exercises kicked off last week. The aircraft carrier Shandong on April 22 "was detected underway 2.23 nautical miles (about four kilometres) southwest" of the Philippines' far northern Babuyan Island, the navy reported. On Sunday, the Philippine Navy said three other vessels had been spotted a day before about 60 kilometres from Zambales. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth last month told an audience in Manila that the United States was "doubling down" on its alliance with the country, noting the necessity of deterrence "considering the threats from the Communist Chinese". Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun has since slammed the Balikatan exercises as a blow to regional stability. On Monday, Balikatan will continue with troops simulating defending against an enemy landing force along a stretch of southern Palawan island.
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Philippines, US Test Air Defenses as China Seizes Reef
Missiles fired off the coast of the northern Philippines Sunday as US and Filipino forces conducted their first integrated defense drills, hours after China said it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila. The Philippines and China have been engaged in months of confrontations over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. As many as 17,000 personnel are participating in the annual "Balikatan" exercises, which this year will simulate a "full-scale battle scenario" as the treaty allies seek to deter China's ambitions in the disputed waterway, AFP reported. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday reported that the country's coast guard had "implemented maritime control" over Tiexian Reef, also known as Sandy Cay, this month. The tiny sandbank, part of the Spratly Islands, lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and site of a Philippine military facility. The Philippine government has yet to formally respond to the claim. In coastal Zambales province, hours north of the capital Manila, AFP journalists watched Sunday as the US Marine Corp's new MADIS short-range air defense system knocked a pair of drones from the sky. The coastal defense exercise saw MADIS work in concert with the Philippines' SPYDER missile system, defending it from drone attack as it targeted simulated incoming cruise missiles. "MADIS is short-range. SPYDER is more of a medium-range capability (and they) both engaged different threats," said Matthew Sladek, commander of the US 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. "The more we work together, that only ... enhances our collective lethality." Chinese warships have been spotted in waters near the Philippines since the Balikatan exercises kicked off last week. The aircraft carrier Shandong on April 22 "was detected underway 2.23 nautical miles (about four kilometers) southwest" of the Philippines' far northern Babuyan Island, the navy reported. On Sunday, the Philippine Navy said three other vessels had been spotted a day before about 60 kilometers from Zambales. US defense secretary Pete Hegseth last month told an audience in Manila that the United States was "doubling down" on its alliance with the country, noting the necessity of deterrence "considering the threats from the Communist Chinese". Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun has since slammed the Balikatan exercises as a blow to regional stability. On Monday, Balikatan will continue with troops simulating defending against an enemy landing force along a stretch of southern Palawan island.
