In a joint exercise named “Shoulder-to-Shoulder”, the United States, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia initiated annual military drills on April 21st. Approximately 14,000 personnel participated in various exercises across different locations in the Philippines and its surrounding areas, including air raids, naval blockades, amphibious assaults, and anti-aircraft operations. During this period, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong fleet appeared in the northern waters of the Philippines and conducted patrols in the South China Sea, effectively serving as a target in coordination with the multinational exercises.
On April 23rd, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong fleet was spotted in the northwestern waters of the Philippines, before slowly moving towards the Bashi Strait, and was expected to return to the South China Sea by April 25th.
Simultaneously, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier fleet of the US Navy entered the Philippine waters. It seemed that the Shandong aircraft carrier, to avoid the US aircraft carriers, briefly sailed out again before returning. What added to the tension was a joint exercise on April 24th between American and Japanese fighter jets in the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea, involving US B-1B bombers, F-35 fighters, EA-18G Growlers, KC-135 tankers, and Japanese F-15 fighters.
During the exercise, the Shandong aircraft carrier fleet was positioned near the northern part of Luzon Island, Philippines, close to the Bashi Strait, essentially serving as a target for the American and Japanese aircraft drills.
It is likely that the US and Japan organized this airstrike exercise specifically targeting the Shandong aircraft carrier. The recent deployment of the US B-1B bombers to Japan allowed for readiness testing, with bombers, fighters, electronic warfare aircraft, and tankers promptly mobilizing.
The B-1B bombers carry at least 24 AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles with a range of 926 kilometers, enabling attacks beyond the air defense range of the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet. In the past three years alone, the US has procured 446 AGM-158C long-range missiles specifically tailored for the Chinese fleet. Whether outside the first island chain or within, the Chinese aircraft carriers, destroyers, and frigates would find it challenging to evade US airstrikes. Even if the Chinese warships reach the Philippine waters off the east coast of Taiwan, their survival would be uncertain in a conflict scenario.
The areas covered in the US-Japan airstrike exercise also include the airspace over the East China Sea, vital for potential Chinese amphibious landing operations and fierce aerial dominance contention. The training of American and Japanese aircraft holds significant operational value, with comparatively fewer Chinese aircraft seen operating in the mentioned airspace.
The US fighters are not only intended to attack the Chinese fleet but also carry out strikes on Chinese coastal military bases. Over the last three years, the US has significantly increased its procurement of AGM-158 long-range air-to-ground missiles, totaling up to 1,700, with a range exceeding 926 kilometers, indicating preparations for extensive long-range airstrikes.
By purposely disclosing details of this exercise, the US military aims to caution China against reckless actions. On April 23rd, the Shandong aircraft carrier likely became aware of the presence of US carriers nearing the Philippines; hence, it was compelled to turn back. However, on April 24th, it may not have been informed about the joint US-Japan airstrike exercise.
Taiwan’s military reported that on April 24th from 6 a.m. to April 25th at 6 a.m., they observed nine instances of Chinese aircraft, with five entering the northern airspace, two crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, and two in the southwestern airspace of Taiwan. These instances suggest a delayed response from the Chinese Air Force to the US-Japan aircraft exercises.
On April 25th, Taiwan’s military only detected one Chinese aircraft. That day, as the Shandong aircraft carrier was supposed to pass through the Bashi Strait, the Chinese Air Force did not dispatch a large number of aircraft to provide aerial protection.
On April 26th, the US Marines’ High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) was swiftly deployed to Balabac Island in the Philippines and launched towards the South China Sea direction during the exercise.
The HIMARS system can launch tactical missiles, targeting both land and sea objectives. The latest Precision Strike Missile model replaces the previous MGM-140 tactical missile, with a range exceeding 500 kilometers. In 2025, the US plans to procure 230 units, double the amount from 2024.
On April 29th, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese Navy claimed to be patrolling the South China Sea, deliberately nearing the Philippines, effectively acting as a target in the multinational exercises.
Balabac Island in the Philippines is closer to the Spratly Islands, and the tactical missiles launched by the US M142 HIMARS could cover the Spratlys. If China ventures into conflict, the US is likely to promptly target Chinese military installations in the Spratly Islands, opening a second front, diverting Chinese attention.
The US, along with other participating countries, engaged in a diverse set of naval and aerial attack drills during the “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” exercise, including defensive maneuvers.
Starting on April 27th, the US and Philippine forces conducted several days of joint anti-drone exercises near an naval base close to Huangyan Island in the Philippines.
The US showcased a cost-effective Multi-Service Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) against drones, integrating chain guns, machine guns, and stinger missiles on light tactical vehicles to swiftly counter hostile drones at a lower cost.
The US also presented the High-Power Microwave Weapon (IFPC-HPM) designed to counter drone swarms with microwave energy beams, disrupting, paralyzing, or neutralizing them. They not only demonstrated plans to counter drone attacks but actively tested and deployed anti-drone systems targeting Chinese drone threats.
Defensive exercises among the multinational forces included amphibious assault drills using tanks, Javelin missiles, and 155mm howitzers to engage near-shore and on-shore targets, thwarting enemy amphibious landing operations.
The various training scenarios showcased by the US military in the Philippines aimed to fulfill commitments to defend the country while also preparing for potential defense scenarios in the Taiwan Strait and practicing strikes against Chinese military targets in the South China Sea. While the Shandong aircraft carrier and warships flexed their muscles near the Philippines during the exercise, posing confrontational displays, they effectively served as simulated targets for the multinational maneuvers. The contrast between the political showmanship of the Chinese forces and the practical readiness demonstrations by the US and its allies was stark.