Pacific Perspective:US,Philippines and Australia Initiate Joint Patrols

On 21 November 2023,the US Navy,the Philippines Navy and Philippines Air Force began joint patrols of the South China Sea both by air and sea.The joint patrols lasted through 23 November and,separately,the Australian Defence Force and the Philippines Navy and Air Force conducted joint patrols a few days later.The US State Department has ascertained in a report that China's claims to most of the South China Sea are not in accord with international law.Hence the patrols were undertaken to assert a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.The US-Philippines patrols began at Movalis Island,the Philippines' northernmost point,100 km/62 mi from Taiwan.They ended in the West Philippine Sea,part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).*The Philippine Air Force sent two FA-50 light combat fighter jets and an A29B Super Tucano light attack plane on patrol,while the Philippine Navy sent three unspecified warships.The US Navy sent a Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft,armed with torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles for anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions,respectively;and a littoral combat ship.The littoral combat ships,after being criticised for being lightly armed,are now heavily armed with a number of deck guns,air-to-air and air to surface missiles,including US Army Hellfire missiles and Naval Strike Missiles.Indeed,some LCS's are now also armed with Lockheed Martin laser weapons.*Said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.:Unfortunately,I cannot report that the situation (in the South China Sea) is improved.The situation has become more dire than it was before.Through collaborative efforts,we aim to enhance regional security and foster a seamless partnership with the United States in safeguarding our shared interests.*In February 2023,President Marcos added four new US bases to the five extant ones,bringing them into the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.*The Philippines Navy and Air Force later staged patrols with the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force from 25-27 November 2023.Said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.:We endeavor to have bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness;test doctrines,existing protocols;and enhance efficiency;and foster closer cooperation between our countries' armed forces.This inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity and those that follow are a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic and defense partnership between our countries.*The Phiippine Navy sent two warships on patrol.BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) is a former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class offshore cutter,currently armed with various deck cannons,including one by BAE Systems.The Devao del Sur (LD-6) is a Dock Landing-class amphibious warfare ship for Philippine Marines based on an Indonesian model.It is currently armed with eight heavy machine guns and carries two helicopters with hangar space for a third.The Philippine Air Force sent five surveillance aircraft.*The Royal Australian Navy sent the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH-156).Its armament features a 5" deck gun;Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles;Harpoon anti-ship missiles;two triple torpedo tubes;and two heavy machine guns for extreme close-in defence.The Royal Australian Air Force sent a Boeing P-8A Poseidon on patrol.*For its part,China's Foreign Ministry said:Since November 21,the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command Navy Ship Yuenchung has conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea.During this period,the Philippines enlisted foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea,stir up trouble,and hype up regional peace and security,violating the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.* BAE Systems Plc (LSE:BA),Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)