Japan-U.S.-Philippine Trilateral Exercise.

On 24 February, JMSDF P-3C conducted a Japan-U.S.-Philippine trilateral exercise as Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) with the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Dewey and P-8A Poseidon, and the Philippine Navy frigate Antonio Luna, the Philippine Air Force FA-50PH and C-208B, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang in the north of Luzon. This marked the first involvement of P-3C in the MCAs.

Upholding the right of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as respecting the maritime rights under the international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Self Defense Fleet has enhanced the security in the region and demonstrated our shared values and strong will toward realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” through the continuous engagement in the MCAs.

The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.

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