Philippines and US Conduct Air Defense Drills as China Seizes Disputed Reef in South China Sea

 The Philippines and the United States conducted their first integrated air defense exercises off the northern coast of the Philippines on April 27, 2025, firing missiles in a show of military coordination amid escalating tensions with China. 

The drills, part of the annual Balikatan exercises, took place in the South China Sea, hours after China announced it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila, identified as Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine military confirmed that the exercises involved live-fire tests of advanced air defense systems, including the U.S.-provided Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Philippine Navy’s missile frigates. The maneuvers aimed to enhance interoperability and deter aggression in the contested region.

China’s seizure of Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich fishing ground within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, was condemned by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a violation of international law, specifically the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. 

Chinese state media reported that the People’s Liberation Army Navy established a permanent presence on the reef, citing “historical rights” and the need to protect its sovereignty. The U.S. State Department issued a statement reaffirming its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, warning that any armed attack on Philippine forces would trigger a response.

 The drills and China’s actions have heightened fears of a broader conflict, with regional analysts urging dialogue to de-escalate tensions. ASEAN members, including Vietnam and Malaysia, expressed concern over the reef seizure, calling for adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.