The Philippines is quickly rising as a key frontline state within the rising US-China rivalry within the Indo-Pacific, as Washington continues to deploy superior army property to the archipelago, which lies inside the strategic “first island chain” a line of defence that features Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, essential to US pursuits within the area, as reported by The Eurasian Occasions.
Following the current port go to of the nuclear-powered US plane provider USS George Washington to Manila, america deployed its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the F-35, to the Philippines for the primary time. The fighter jets arrived at Clark Air Base to take part within the joint US-Philippines air train “Cope Thunder 25-2”, which runs from July 7 to July 18.
Over 2,500 personnel, together with 2,301 from the Philippine Air Drive (PAF) and 225 from the US Pacific Air Forces, are concerned within the drills. The PAF has additionally deployed a variety of plane, together with FA-50 fighters, A-29B Tremendous Tucanos, and a number of helicopter fashions.
In line with a press release from the Pacific Air Forces, the train goals to reinforce interoperability between the 2 international locations’ air forces and strengthen bilateral defence ties. Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Mussler, commander of the US 421st Fighter Squadron, emphasised {that a} “free and open Indo-Pacific” should not be taken as a right, and the drills are meant to discourage potential aggression.
The deployment additionally marked the primary time the PAF has flown alongside US F-35s, symbolising a big leap in defence cooperation. In April this 12 months, through the earlier section of Cope Thunder 25-1, the PAF’s FA-50s carried out joint drills with US F-16s.
On the primary day of the present workouts, FA-50 and F-35 jets carried out coordinated sorties inside the Philippines’ Unique Financial Zone, reinforcing the nation’s rising strategic position in regional safety dynamics.
The deployment of F-35s displays the deepening safety alliance beneath the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Settlement (EDCA), which permits US forces to function from 9 designated Philippine army bases. The settlement was expanded in 2023, regardless of sturdy opposition from China.
Manila is taken into account a essential participant within the defence of Taiwan because of its geographical proximity throughout the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel, strategic maritime chokepoints that China may use within the occasion of an invasion. Earlier this 12 months, the Philippine army chief warned that the nation would “inevitably” be drawn right into a battle over Taiwan if one had been to erupt.
The US has constantly elevated its army footprint within the Philippines. In 2023, F-22 Raptors flew alongside PAF fighters. In April 2025, the US deployed its superior NMESIS anti-ship system and accredited a $5.58 billion deal to promote F-16s and precision munitions to the Philippines. Final 12 months, the Typhon missile system was additionally deployed throughout workouts Balikatan and Salaknib.
In response, China has voiced severe considerations and even carried out an intercontinental ballistic missile check within the Pacific, highlighting its unease with the rising US presence within the area.
The strengthening US-Philippines defence partnership, together with the newest F-35 drills, is anticipated to intensify additional tensions with Beijing, which continues to accuse Washington of destabilising the Indo-Pacific, The Eurasian Occasions reported.