Growing US-Philippine Military Alliance Could Save Taiwan

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

The US Navy has been publishing photos of active, forward deployed Arleigh Burke-class destroyers operating in the Philippine Sea with MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons, deck-mounted guns and a large arsenal of warship-fired long-range precision weaponry conducting war readiness and preparation drills. The USS Hopper and USS Dewey, both guided missile destroyers, have been conducting various maritime warfare preparation missions near Philippine shores. Perhaps of greatest significance, a greater US presence, which includes more “basing” of forces and assets, is welcomed by Philippine leaders.

While the US Navy has regularly been operating in this critical area as part of its multi-national deterrence posture against China, activity and specific collaboration with the Philippines has been massively increasing. There are many reasons for this, which can likely be linked to aggressive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea and intensified threats to Taiwan. The Chinese Coast Guard, for example, generated an international response with its decision to “water cannon” on a Philippine Navy supply boat. It is also widely known that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to strengthen US-Philippine cooperation since taking office.

The most pressing elements of increased cooperation likely pertain to plans to quickly increase the amount of US bases operating on the Philippine islands, a move which greatly enables vital war assets such as 5th-gen fighter jets, helicopters, ground troops and ports for amphibious warfare ships. This kind of increased presence is of critical tactical significance regarding the question of Taiwan. Southern parts of the Philippines are merely 400 miles from the island of Taiwan, something which means critical war attack assets such as F-22s, B-2s and large formations of networked F-35s could quickly and easily access Taiwanese airspace. There is also the critical question of ground firepower and heavy mechanized equipment such as tanks, artillery and soldiers themselves. Should the US need to forward position a response force, or assemble any ability to mass a formidable ground force on Taiwan in advance of a potential Chinese attack, access and basing from the Southern Philippines could provide both critical and decisive.

Video: Could the US Stop China from Invading Taiwan? 

An interesting essay by VOA news quotes Philippine senior military leaders expressing enthusiasm and support for the growing US presence. Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the Philippines National Security Council, told VOA

“And that first island chain [includes] both Taiwan and the Philippines, no? So with American troops rotating in the Philippines, it becomes a problem for them,” he said.