South China Sea: US stages 85 military exercises with regional allies in 2019, report says
- Washington keen to boost the defence capabilities of its Asian partners and ‘enhance interoperability’, Peking University think tank says
- US ‘likely to stage more drills on core combat capability … to handle the perceived regional security threat’, it says
While the drills – carried out between January and November – have varied in size, their aim has been consistent: to extend America’s presence in the region and strengthen the defence capabilities of its allies, the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, affiliated to Peking University, said in a report.
“Through these exercises, the US is enhancing its interoperability with other nations and making a stronger military presence to contain the rise of China as a maritime power,” it said, adding that America was “likely to stage more drills on core combat capability … to handle the perceived regional security threat”.
Of the joint and multinational exercises staged in the period, the Philippines was involved in at least 16, Thailand nine and Singapore six, the report said.
During the Pacific Griffin exercise, held from September 24 to October 10 in waters off Guam, the navies of the US and Singapore staged their first ever cooperative anti-surface drill, fired a naval strike missile, and engaged in anti-submarine and anti-air warfare manoeuvres, it said.
“By adding new items to routine drills and focusing on things that emphasise combat readiness, the exercises are getting more professional with clearer targets.”
