US and Philippines conduct first joint exercise, sinking a ship with M142 HIMARS and fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters
US and Philippine forces have conducted their first joint exercise in disputed waters claimed by China. As part of the test, a ship simulating an enemy target in the South China Sea was hit and sunk.
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The exercise took place north of Manila. Officials from the two countries watched the event, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who is keen to strengthen the nation's defence ties with the United States.
The exercise began when the M142 HIMARS precision-guided missile system fired a series of projectiles at a decommissioned Philippine Navy corvette. The ship was anchored 20km off the coast. None of the six missiles were able to hit their target. The ship went down after a US Marine Corps fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighter dropped several guided bombs on it.
In addition, artillery units fired a salvo at floating targets 10km offshore. Also taking part in the exercise were F-16 Fighting Falcon and FA-50 fighters along with AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Incidentally, the event had to be briefly interrupted as a private aircraft entered the exercise area.
The joint exercise is called Balikatan. Approximately 18,000 troops are taking part. The event began on 11 April. In addition to HIMARS and F-35Bs, the US military demonstrated the MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile systems in action.
