U.S. adds muscle, seeks friends in South China Sea standoff
ABOARD USS FORT WORTH IN THE JAVA SEA – Cmdr. Chris Brown looked at the line of warships behind him and didn’t like what he saw.
An Indonesian ship, KRI John Lie, had crept too close in an attempt to spot an “enemy” submarine lurking nearby. But when Brown relayed directions for the John Lie to ease back, the ship cut speed too quickly and forced others in line to veer off in all directions.
“Well, that’s why we practice these things,” Brown said, assessing the ragged formation.
The drill was part of a recent four-day exercise in which American and Indonesian forces stormed beaches, boarded ships, hunted submarines and practiced the wide range of skills they’d need if called upon to fight together in wartime.
While no one mentioned China by name, the increasing number and complexity of joint exercises with friendly countries in the region forms a key part of the U.S. response to China’s growing military strength and assertiveness.
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The) exercises help to build skills among Southeast Asian navies, and importantly build relationships between the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries. They help participating Southeast Asian navies exercise and prepare for real-world scenarios,” said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
So far this year, the U.S. has conducted joint exercises with naval forces in Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. All those countries have territory that borders the disputed South China Sea. Other joint exercises are planned later this year.
China has asserted ownership of nearly all of the South China Sea and is building at least seven artificial islands in the key waterway. Parts of the region are also claimed by five other countries, including three of this year’s training partners.
“These exercises allow the U.S. to show its flag and maintain access to the South China Sea, building capacity for regional partners. It sends a political signal to China, but more importantly, to the region as a whole,” said Tetsuo Kotani, senior fellow and maritime security specialist at the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo.
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