Philippines joins ANNUALEX Indo-Pacific naval exercise as observer as tensions rise in the region
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Pacific Ocean during ANNUALEX 2023. (Photo: US Navy)
Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), a multinational naval exercise including participants from Australia, Canada, Japan and the US, started on 11 November and will involve 30 ships and 40 aircraft.
ANNUALEX, a 10-day exercise led by Japan designed to improve interoperability between partner navies, began on 10 November. The exercise has come at a time when China has been stretching its range, while other countries increase cooperation and bump up against expanding Sino-capability.
Australia, Canada, Japan and the US will take part in the exercise. For the first time the Philippines, which only weeks ago saw one of its coastguard ships collide with a Chinese maritime militia vessel, will also participate as an observer.
The growing closeness between Japan and the Philippines has been demonstrated the delivery earlier this month of an FPS-3ME long-range 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array air surveillance radar system.
Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Vice Adm Akira Saito said the exercise was not targeted at a specific country or scenario.
‘The Philippines is a very important country for us, and we are looking to coordinate with its navy at every possible opportunity,’ Saito told reporters.
Karl Thomas, Vice Adm of the US Seventh Fleet, said: ‘The more that our navies work together, the more multilateral our operations and our exercises are, the greater the security for this region. So I'm thrilled that Japan invited the Philippines to observe this year.’
More from I/ITSEC 2023 | View all news
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: VirTra debuts integration of VBS4 into its simulators]()
I/ITSEC 2023: VirTra debuts integration of VBS4 into its simulators
VirTra has unveiled the integration of VBS4 and BlueIG into its simulator systems with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of its technology for military training.
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: CymSTAR introduces CymLITE Series Deployable Air Refueling Trainer]()
I/ITSEC 2023: CymSTAR introduces CymLITE Series Deployable Air Refueling Trainer
The company has also used its platform at I/ITSEC 2023 to announce a new partnership with the Switzerland-based firm EDMS.
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: Guardiaris unveils the new generation of its Small Arms Mobile Trainer]()
I/ITSEC 2023: Guardiaris unveils the new generation of its Small Arms Mobile Trainer
SAMT, a laserless, plug-and-play mobile system, can incorporate small arms, anti-tank weapons, military vehicles and remote weapon stations.
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: CAE unveils US Air Force digital F-16 cockpit]()
I/ITSEC 2023: CAE unveils US Air Force digital F-16 cockpit
For the first time CAE exhibited a digital F-16 cockpit integrated with the Simulators Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) marking a major step forward in training equipment virtualisation.
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: Can military forces solve integration issues in the training domain?]()
I/ITSEC 2023: Can military forces solve integration issues in the training domain?
Deploying several simulation solutions with different operating systems and programming languages has been a challenge for armed forces worldwide.
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: British Army could have saved £120 million in artillery ammunition, says manufacturer]()
I/ITSEC 2023: British Army could have saved £120 million in artillery ammunition, says manufacturer
Cubic Blue Shell, a train-as-you-fight solution, has been in use by the British Army for three years offering an indirect fire training system that simulates artillery drills and weapons effects.
