Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Philippines’ military will conduct a joint humanitarian exercise marking the first implementation of a pact enabling the exchange of defense supplies and logistical support, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday.
The six-day exercise starting Sunday in the Southeast Asian country will see the Philippine Air Force supply fuel to an Air Self-Defense Force aircraft, cooperation enabled by the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement that took effect in August, Koizumi told reporters.
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“The first application of the ACSA represents an important step and symbolizes that defense cooperation between the two countries has entered a new stage,” Koizumi said.
Japan and the Philippines, both allies of the United States, have been ramping up their security collaboration in recent years in the face of China’s maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas. /dl
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