Philippine, US, France navies conduct joint Balikatan drills in West Philippine Sea starting April 28

The navies of the Philippines, United States, and France will conduct joint exercises in the West Philippine Sea starting April 28 as part of the 39th annual Balikatan drills.

These exercises are set to take place over three weeks from April 22 to May 10 across four Luzon provinces including Batanes, Palawan, Zambales, and Ilocos Norte.

In one exercise, Philippine and US forces will sink a decommissioned ship off the coast of Subic Bay and conduct an 'island-taking' drill in Batanes.

The Philippine Navy expects Chinese vessels to behave properly during these exercises as part of Balikatan 2024, despite a recent increase in Chinese maritime presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Fourteen countries, including several G7 nations, will observe these exercises as part of the International Observers Program.