Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton from the USN, two OPVs and BRP Davao del Sur LPD from the Philippine Navy are also participating in the joint drills.
Another joint drill was conducted between the two countries in the South China Sea in November 2023, with Littoral Combat Ships and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft joining from the USN; BRP Jose Rizal frigate, BRP Conrado Yap corvette from the Philippine Navy; FA-50PH light combat aircraft and A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft from the Philippine Air Force.
The U.S. made another move to increase its presence in the Pacific region by deploying THAAD Anti-Ballistic Missile systems on the Guam Islands at the end of December 2023.
Throughout the last months of 2023, China has harassed Philippine ships and boats with large-sized coast guard ships using water cannons and other equipment meant to cause disturbance. This resulted in the Philippines taking part in naval joint drills with the U.S. and Australia more often.
