The Philippine and US militaries on Monday kicked off three weeks of joint exercises that will simulate a “full-scale battle scenario”, as the two allies seek to deter Beijing’s ambitions in the disputed South China Sea.As many as 17,000 personnel are expected to take part in the annual “Balikatan”, or “shoulder to shoulder” drills, which for the first time will include an integrated air and missile defence simulation, to be attended by President Ferdinand Marcos.Sophisticated US weapons including the NMESIS anti-ship missile system will also be deployed, including near a crucial chokepoint in the waters separating the northern Philippines from self-ruled Taiwan.”We will demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defence treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so,” US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn said at Monday’s opening ceremony in Manila.#philippines #china #us #southchinasea #manila #balikatan n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION3:32 US DEPLOYS ‘9000 TROOPS, NMESIS SYSTEM’ FOR BALIKATAN5:36 INDIA ‘SHIPS’ SECOND BRAHMOS SYSTEM TO PHILIPPINES7:02 CHINA TESTS NON-NUCLEAR BOMB
