US, Japan, Philippines strike deals on defense, investment at leaders' summit

12/4/2024 12:23

        Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled a wide range of agreements to enhance security and economic ties during meetings held at the White House this week.
        
        Japan and the U.S. announced plans to upgrade their military alliance, including the U.S. military command in Japan and more joint development of defense equipment.
        
        A joint summit statement said new military command-and-control frameworks would enable greater interoperability and planning in peacetime and during contingencies.
        
        They also announced their intent to upgrade defense communications networks and to network air defense capabilities between the U.S., Australia and Japan to counter air and missile threats.
        
        The defense plans will see the two sides establish a forum to identify areas for co-development and co-production of missiles and maintenance of U.S. warships and aircraft.
        
        They will also establish a working group for fighter pilot training, including AI and advanced simulators, and co-development and co-production of jet trainers.