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Philippines flying force signs up with multi-nation war games in Australia

The Philippines Flying force got here in northern Australia on Wednesday on its initially overseas deployment in six decades for battle practice alongside U.S. and Australian troops, in the middle of an increase in stress with China in the South China Sea.

4 Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and some 162 personnel are participating in the Pitch Black dry run over Australia's. mostly uninhabited Northern Territory, involving 20 nations. and 140 airplane.

This is the first time they have actually taken their fight. airplane abroad because 1963 so it is a big honour for Australia. to be chosen as the very first area for the release, Royal. Australian Flying Force (RAAF) Air Commodore Pete Robinson informed. .

The Northern Territory provides a huge amount of airspace. to boost capabilities from pet dog combating to utilizing radar and. missile systems to engage foes beyond visual range, he. added.

The Philippines fighter jets would deal with other air. forces to solve some intricate problems versus a simulated. adversary and ground dangers, he said. The U.S. F-22 stealth. fighter and Australia's F-35A and F-18 are among the battle. airplane taking part.

Bringing that package together will supply an excellent. outcome that is more powerful than its parts, Robinson stated.

China and the Philippines are locked in a fight in. the challenged South China Sea and their encounters have actually grown. more tense as Beijing presses its claims to shoals in waters. that Manila says are well within its unique economic zone.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior expert Euan. Graham said although the Philippines has a shared defence treaty. with the United States, it would want to its own flying force and. navy as the first line of defence.

Within the context of the South China Sea and the. Philippines feeling an external sense of threat very highly. now from China, Manila has actually been attempting to enhance its own. defence ability, Graham said.

The huge modification is they lost a lot of their capability and. now they are restoring it, he added.

The Philippines is looking for to modernise its armed force's. outdated hardware that includes warships from World War 2 and. helicopters used by the United States in the Vietnam War.

Philippine Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner stated last week. the Philippines wants to buy longer-range, multi-role fighters. although it has not made a decision on which airplane it will. buy for its modernization program.

Recent deals with Australia and Japan to permit armed forces to. visit and move through each other's territory show the. Philippines is seeking more regional defence relationships, said. Graham.

In April, Australia, Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines. held a navy cooperation workout in the South China Sea.

Building interoperability with our local partners ... allows us to increase the strengths of each of the particular. flying force, to combine a group that has a shared value. for sustaining peace and stability across the area, said Air. Commodore Robinson.

To ensure if the worst happens, we are all set to. respond..

(source: Reuters)