Key Points and Summary on F-35 – In a significant strategic move, the United States has deployed F-35 stealth fighters to the Philippines for the first time to participate in the “Cope Thunder” joint military exercises.
-This deployment is a clear message to China, demonstrating the strengthening U.S.-Philippines alliance under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
-The F-35s will train alongside the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 and A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, enhancing interoperability and bolstering defenses against China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
-The move aligns with the Trump administration’s strategic focus on countering Beijing in the Indo-Pacific.
F-35 Fighter to Fly With the Philippines for the First Time
The Philippines has been a long-standing ally of the United States, and the two countries frequently train together on land and at sea. Now the Americans are taking the military alliance a step further. For the first time, American F-35s will be flying from the Philippines, marking a significant step in the United States’ commitment to defending the Indo-Pacific.
The Exercises are Bringing “Thunder and Lightning’
The stealth fighters are engaging in the Cope Thunder combined military exercises. They will be running the air drills until July 18 at Clark Air Base. This is sure to be seen as a provocation by China, which is always smarting when the Americans and Filipinos engage in joint training.
Locking Arms to Send a Message to China
This exercise is large. Over 2,500 people will take part. Most are from the Philippine Air Force, but the rest are comprised of Americans from the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
The idea is to create more interoperability between the two countries, allowing them to work seamlessly together in case the islands are threatened by Chinese forces in the air or sea.
The Philippine Air Force is flying its own FA-50 fighters, purchased from South Korea, and A-29B Super Tucanos. The Super Tucanos are the ideal aircraft for the air forces of developing countries. They are made in Brazil, and they can perform air policing duties plus counter-insurgency and counter-terror missions with many ground strike weapons on board to punish the enemy. But the F-35 is the featured guest of this show.
Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Mussler, commander of the U.S. Air Force’s 421st Fighter Squadron, told journalists the decision to deploy the F-35s was designed to improve collaboration with regional allies. “A free and open Indo-Pacific is something that we enjoy but should not take for granted in the future years if we want to continue to deter any form of aggression,” Mussler said, as noted by the South China Morning Post.
The F-35 is considered a “flying computer,” and the Philippines’ ground crews and technicians will become better acquainted with the software on board.
This will be the first time the FA-50s and Super Tucanos will fly with F-35s. These pilots from the Philippines are likely thrilled to get to train with such an advanced fighter. The F-35 pilots can mentor the developing nation’s aviators and give them a newfound confidence for aerial combat.
The Strategy Behind the Exercises and F-35 Deployment
The F-35 deployment is seen as a strategic move. The Philippines plays a significant role in what I refer to as the “Great Basin of U.S. Allies” in East Asia and is part of the First Island Chain, which Beijing considers to be its own territory. Xi Jinping’s navy is always poking and prodding the Philippines in grey zone tactics that are designed to intimidate and bully.
“The deployment of F-35s reflects the deepening security alliance under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows U.S. forces to operate from nine designated Philippine military bases. The agreement was expanded in 2023, despite strong opposition from China,” according to the Economic Times.
This shows that alliances get under China’s skin and create a situation where the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the Chinese coast guard could continue their belligerent tactics against the Philippines.
The Indo-Pacific Is the Highest Priority
President Donald Trump’s national security team will closely monitor these exercises with heightened interest and steely determination.
So-called “prioritizers” in the administration believe that China is the primary U.S. adversary and that the military should prioritize the Indo-Pacific over the Middle East and Europe.
One way to increase security preparation for a future fight is to bring the best American military hardware to the region and allow allies to work with U.S. personnel closely.
In 2023, the F-22 Raptors flew with the Philippines’ jets. By April of this year, the United States was granting them the advanced NMESIS anti-ship missile system. The Americans have also proposed sending F-16s to Manila. China has not enjoyed the close relationship between the U.S.-Philippines alliance.
The question is – just how pronounced is the Philippines’ stomach for war? The country is situated in the strategic waterways of the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel. These are areas that China wishes to control. Also, if China invaded Taiwan successfully, the Chinese may have designs on the Philippines, too.
Difficult Remedies for This Hot Spot
The U.S. military also has to choose when and where it would fight the Chinese if a “hot” exchange of gunfire destroyed a ship or airplane from the Philippines. Washington would then face a crisis on its hands, even though its strategic priorities have been focused on deterring the Chinese from attacking its neighbors.
We’ll keep an eye on this combined exercise and watch how China reacts. The PLAN may send a carrier battle group nearby to keep tabs on the drills. This could increase tensions in the region, but the Philippines typically takes Chinese provocations in stride, and the government maintains its military readiness. What better way to create a realistic training environment than to send F-35s?
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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