Manila, July 18 - The US Air Force just pulled off a big move in the Indo-Pacific: they sent F-35A Lightning II stealth jets to the Philippines. First time ever. It’s one of those “pay attention” moments for anyone following all the power plays out there. This historic deployment, centered at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, forms a key component of the bilateral Cope Thunder Philippines 25-2 aerial combat exercise, which runs through July 18, 2025. The exercise, involving over 2,500 personnel, including approximately 225 U.S. Pacific Air Forces crew and 2,301 Philippine Air Force members, underscores a deepening military partnership between Washington and Manila amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The deployment of these advanced fifth-generation fighters is a direct response to increasing Chinese naval activities in the region, particularly within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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The Cope Thunder exercise, which resumed in the Philippines in 2023 after a three-decade hiatus, integrates U.S. F-35As with Philippine FA-50PH light combat aircraft, A-29B Super Tucano attack aircraft, and various helicopters, including AW109 and S-70i models. Flights are conducted over Basa Air Base and designated training areas in Northern Luzon, near the strategically vital Luzon Strait—a key maritime chokepoint that could play a critical role in potential regional conflicts, including scenarios involving Taiwan or the South China Sea. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, improve joint operational readiness, and strengthen deterrence under the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment principles, which emphasize dispersed operations and rapid mobility in contested environments.
The timing of the F-35A deployment coincides with heightened Chinese naval presence in the region. On the same day the exercise began, the Philippine Coast Guard reported monitoring three Chinese vessels: a Type 815G reconnaissance ship, a China Coast Guard ship, and a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, positioned 69.31 nautical miles west of Cabra Island, within the Philippine EEZ. These vessels, which did not respond to radio challenges, were seen as violating international maritime laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. This incident follows a pattern of Chinese surveillance activities, with similar vessels observed during previous multinational exercises like Balikatan 2024.
The deployment of the F-35As, known for their stealth capabilities, advanced sensor suites, and unmatched situational awareness, signals a robust U.S. commitment to regional stability and the defense of its oldest Indo-Pacific ally. The presence of these jets not only enhances the Philippines’ ability to monitor and respond to maritime threats but also strengthens the U.S.-Philippines alliance under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. While the deployment bolsters deterrence, it also carries the risk of escalating tensions with China, which has consistently rejected international rulings and expanded its military presence in disputed waters. As the Philippines continues to modernize its armed forces and deepen ties with the U.S., this exercise represents a critical step in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.