Japan Fires Anti-Ship Missiles From Philippines in First Overseas Troop Deployment Since World War II
Japan deployed about 1,400 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to the Philippines for Balikatan 2026 and fired Type 88 anti-ship missiles from Ilocos Norte, sinking the decommissioned BRP Quezon about 50 to 75 kilometers offshore. The drill was described as Japan’s first use of the missile system outside its own territory and its first overseas combat-troop deployment since World War II.
Balikatan 2026 runs from April 20 to May 8 and includes about 17,000 troops from seven nations, with US, Philippine and Australian forces participating in a scenario simulating the repelling of an amphibious assault in the South China Sea. China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the move as remilitarization, saying Japan had sent military forces overseas and fired offensive missiles under the pretext of security cooperation.
From the sources (3 posts)
@clashreportChinese Foreign Ministry: Japan bears grave historical responsibilities for Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines due to its aggression and colonial rule. In this special year which marks the 80th anniversary of the beginni
@clashreportFirst Time Since WWII: Japanese Troops Fire on Foreign Territory For the first time since World War II, Japan deployed combat troops to Philippine soil — about 1,400 personnel — as part of Balikatan 2026, the largest iteration of the US-Ph
@warmonitor3For the first time since WW2 Japan has deployed over 1400 combat troops to the Philippines for exercises with the US.