US, Philippine warplanes hold naval manoeuvres for first time under Trump administration

American and Philippine warplanes carried out their first joint manoeuvre over the contested South China Sea since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office, marking a significant display of the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

The exercise, conducted on February 4, involved Philippine FA-50 fighter jets flying alongside U.S. B-1 bombers, including over the contentious Scarborough Shoal, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The U.S. B-1 bombers, a more advanced version of the B-52, participated in this exercise for the first time in the region, reflecting enhanced military cooperation. The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to boost interoperability and strengthen air domain awareness, as well as agile combat employment between the two allies.

Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, emphasized the importance of the manoeuvres, stating, "It’s the first exercise under the current administration of the U.S. government," during a press briefing.

Although Filipino officials clarified that the exercise was not a direct response to recent Chinese actions in the region, including their ongoing claims over the Scarborough Shoal, it nonetheless drew strong objections from Beijing. Chinese authorities condemned the joint drills, accusing them of destabilizing the regional peace.

The South China Sea remains a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, with the Scarborough Shoal, lying within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, under de facto Chinese control since 2012. While the Philippines continues to bolster international support against China's aggressive maritime activities, the exercises underscore the deepening security ties between Manila and Washington in response to these rising challenges.

By Khagan Isayev