Biggest US-Philippines military drill in years to test joint counterattack ability against ‘external aggressor’, army says

• The 12-day joint exercises are the largest since 2015, and test the ability of both countries’ armed forces to work together if the Philippines is attacked
• The drills won’t take place in or near the South China Sea, but will include scenarios on maritime security, an air assault and amphibious landing, says the Philippine armed forces