US, Philippines, Japan, Conduct Joint Military Exercises in South China Sea

Since 2023, the Philippines has worked with several countries to assert its rights and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.

A member of the Philippine Navy looks out at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Takanami during a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on June 14, 2025. STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images

The navies of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines held joint exercises in the South China Sea this week to demonstrate the allies’ commitment to an open Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) said on Feb. 26.

USINDOPACOM said in a statement that the United States and its two allies conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone between Feb. 20 and 26, focusing on key maritime skills, including communication drills and replenishment-at-sea.