Philippines hosting 10-nation joint naval exercise

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines is hosting a 10-nation joint drill, beginning Monday, which includes the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The US, Australia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, the UK, and New Zealand are attending the naval exercise, SAMASAMA, to “strengthen our countries' maritime security operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the US Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement.

The focus of the naval exercise is on enhancing interoperability, fostering regional cooperation, and addressing various security challenges.

The exercise plays a vital role in building capacity and improving modern naval operations, including anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare, and enhancing readiness to confront security challenges.

Running until Oct. 12, the exercise aims to enhance maritime integration with international partners, including the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN).