The United States and the Philippines announced that they will establish a joint combat force to act side by side against increasing pressure in the South China Sea. The announcement was made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. during talks in Kuala Lumpur on October 31. came by. This step aims to defend maritime rights and manage tension in the region.
The aim of the new force is to improve security not only in the Philippines but also in waters that intersect with the maritime claims of countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Analysts say this formation will strengthen its capacity to react quickly and deter Beijing’s efforts to enforce its extensive maritime claims. Since elements of the two countries frequently encounter each other in these waters, rapid coordination and joint exercises become critical.
Rather than establishing a force aimed at causing conflict, the initiative aims to use existing resources more efficiently and increase interoperability. Minister Hegseth stated that American forces do not aim for conflict, but are determined to protect common interests. He emphasized that the task force aims to be ready for a determined response to regional crises with the joint operation and control mechanism, which is considered a symbolic step.
Structure and Scope
According to the statement made by the US Pacific Fleet, the basic structure of this force can be summarized as follows: Scope: Designed to cover the Philippine archipelago. Employee: It is a special unit of approximately 60 people and will be led by a general or admiral. What’s out of content: New forces do not aim to establish offensive operations or permanent military bases; It is a command and control mechanism that focuses on using existing resources more coordinated and faster. This framework represents an important diplomatic and military step aimed at bolstering Manila’s maritime sovereign rights and reducing tensions on key international sea lanes.
