ASEAN Naval drills in the Philippines and Indonesia
Southeast Asia was a crucial theatre during the Second World War between the Japanese Empire and the Allied powers. Then followed the Cold War, which spread throughout most of Southeast Asia and was particularly destructive in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Different governments voluntarily chose sides in the conflict between Communism and what was then referred to as the "free world" of capitalism during that time [1]. Today it has an important theatre of yet another global conflict.
Extreme polarisation in international politics, which in the early 1990s appeared to have faded with the conclusion of the Cold War, has returned considering the conflict in Ukraine and tensions between the West and China. In this light, ASEAN’s neutrality, its collective military strength, and the military exercises are something that needs to be followed closely to assess the future behavior of the multilateral grouping.
Increasing its military deterrent capabilities in Asia is one of the United States' strategies for dealing with China which puts ASEAN in a difficult situation because it may cause it to falter. ASEAN maintains formal neutrality emphasizing that it would not choose between China and the US at the 42nd High-Level Conference, which took place in Labuan Bajo from May 9 to 11, 2023. Given that ASEAN is strongly connected to both USA and China, this neutrality is quite pertinent and significant. The US has formed an alliance with the Philippines and Thailand in addition to a naval base in Singapore. According to the August 10, 2022, EIU edition, it is thought that Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos back China. The territorial conflicts that Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam have with China may eventually cause them to rethink their neutrality [2].
ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise of 2023:
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) introduced the concept of the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) during the 8th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting (ANCM) in 2014 as a means to address shared maritime security concerns in the region. The 9th ANCM adopted AMNEX, and the RTN hosted its inaugural edition. The Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) was scheduled to host the 2nd AMNEX in 2020 but had to cancel it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the 17th ANCM, the Philippine Navy hosted the 2nd AMNEX from 8th to 12th May 2023 [3].
At the AMNEX sea phase testing in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, ships from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam practiced interoperability against non-traditional security threats like sea piracy, transnational crimes, and terrorism alongside observers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Rules for maritime interaction were established and the 2023–2032 roadmap for the ACNM was adopted in the 17th ASEAN Chief of Navies' Meeting (ACNM), in addition to the sea phase trials [4]. The AMNEX coincided with other events including the ASEAN Fleet Review in Zambales and the inaugural Philippine Fleet Defence Expo in 2023 at Sangley Naval Base in the province of Cavite.
On November 16 and 17 of 2022, the Philippine Navy (PN) hosted its Middle Planning Conference (MPC), which was a follow-up to the three-day Initial Planning Conference that took place last September 21 and 23. Participants from the navies of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam virtually participated in the MPC of AMNEX 2/2023. Capt. Nerelito Martinez, Director of Fleet - Marine Warfare Centre and designated Head Planner of the PN, presided over the meeting. MPC with the primary goals of confirming the training program and other pertinent matters/requirements of the exercise including Maritime Security Operations, Shipboard Helicopter Operations, Maritime Search and Rescue, Division Tactics and Photo Exercise, Communication Exercise, and Publication Exercise were conducted during the [5].
On January 17, the Philippine Navy (PN) convened the final planning meeting in preparation for the drills. A basic training plan was developed to guide the conduct of the naval exercise focusing to enhance interoperability and seamless execution among ASEAN naval forces [6]. This whole exercise embodies the PN's determination to establish stronger ties, increase mutual understanding, and promote cooperation in the interest of an ASEAN region that is stable and peaceful.
On May 11, the Philippine Navy (PN) staged the ASEAN Fleet Review (AFR) off Grande Island, Subic, where the ASEAN warships displayed cooperation and unity. The BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) of the Philippine Navy joined seven other navy vessels, namely, RSS Supreme from Singapore, KRI Gusti Ngurah Rai from Indonesia, Tran Hung Dao from Vietnam, HTMS Pattani from Thailand, KD Lekiu from Malaysia, and KDB Daruttaqwa and KDB Afiat from Brunei. At a formal opening ceremony held at the Naval Operating Base (NOB) Subic on May 12, the second iteration of the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) got underway. AMNEX's Sea Phase took place from May 13 to May 14 off the coasts of Lubang Island in Bataan and Grande Island in Zambales [7].
The two-day phase was made up of drills and maneuvers that were intended to improve synchronization and communication, increase interoperability and maritime responsiveness, and foster trust and understanding among participants in the conduct of maritime operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Subsequent ASEAN drills by Indonesia:
Ten ASEAN military chiefs agreed to carry out routine cooperative training and coordinated patrols in South China Sea waters during the 20th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Meeting, which was held in Bali on June 7. Despite reservations from member state Cambodia, the army, navy, and special forces will be involved from September 18 to 25 [8].
Admiral Yudo Margono, the military chief of Indonesia, declared that the first-ever joint military exercises in the region would take place in September. Indonesia’s position is that the military drills would not involve combat operations. But shortly after, General Vong Pisen, the head of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, issued a statement claiming that Cambodia had not yet approved the training [9]. Hence, amidst achieving a balance between the regional bloc and Beijing, Cambodia has diplomatically derailed ASEAN plans for joint military exercises in the disputed South China Sea.
As China asserts its claim to parts of the South China Sea that are also claimed by ASEAN members Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, the ASEAN exercise Solidarity will take place. Indonesia is the rotating chair of the regional bloc for the current year [10]. An international arbitration court determined in 2016 that China's vast "nine-dash line," which is based on its historical maps and claims sovereignty, is unfounded [11]. In this regard, ASEAN has been pressing China to complete the long-delayed maritime code of conduct since some of its members have recently had conflicts with Beijing.
China has cited its "traditional fishing rights" to justify for its presence in the contested waters. Chinese vessels frequently monitor the waters off Borneo and close to James Shoal, east of the Natuna islands, which are both Malaysia's and China's southernmost territorial claim. In one incident, a military-grade laser fired by a Chinese coast guard ship at a Philippine patrol boat near a disputed reef on February 6 resulted in some crew members momentarily losing their sight, which prompted Manila to step up patrols in the disputed waters. This was one of several well-publicized incidents involving the use of lasers [12]. Unlike the previous naval exercises that ASEAN has conducted with other countries, this would involve only the bloc. Furthermore, the site of exercises suggested a signal of strength to China.
Developments so far:
As of now, Indonesia has relocated the site for the joint military exercise outside of the South China Sea. The southernmost parts of the South China Sea, which Beijing also claims, were originally intended for non-combat training exercises. However, the exercise scheduled for September 18–25 will now take place entirely outside of the key waterway in Indonesian waters, in the South Natuna Sea. The Indonesian military has stated that there was "no intervention" from other nations and that the decision to change the venue was made independently. Additionally, it stated that an invitation to a meeting to prepare for the exercise was made on Monday among ASEAN nations [13]. Here, it must be noted that the leaders of the junta in both Cambodia and Myanmar have close connections with China and the response to the invitation is yet pending from these two states.
Endnotes:
1. Kasit Piromya, Neutrality and Non-alignment Are the Way Forward For ASEAN, The Diplomat, 09 February 2023 https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/neutrality-and-non-alignment-are-the-way-forward-for-asean/
2. Simon P Saragih S, ASEAN Neutrality Is Very Actual, Kompas, 25 June 2023 https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2023/06/23/en-netralitas-asean-sangat-aktual
3. AMNEX 2023, Government of Philippines, 2023 https://amnex2023.navy.mil.ph/about.php
4. Joshua Bernard Espena, The Philippines’ ‘Middle Power’ Momentum Takes Shape in AMNEX-2, The Diplomat, 01 June 2023 https://thediplomat.com/2023/06/the-philippines-middle-power-momentum-takes-shape-in-amnex-2/
5. AMNEX 2023, Government of Philippines, 2023 https://amnex2023.navy.mil.ph/
6. Susan De Leon, PH Navy leads multinational planning for AMNEX 2023, Philippine Information Agency, 18 January 2023 https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/01/18/ph-navy-leads-multinational-planning-for-amnex-2023
7. AMNEX 2023, Government of Philippines, 2023 https://amnex2023.navy.mil.ph/
8. ANI, ASEAN planning first joint military drill amid ‘regional tensions with China’, The Economic Times, 25 June 2023 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/asean-planning-first-joint-military-drill-amid-regional-tensions-with-china/articleshow/101254867.cms?from=mdr
9. Sim Chansamnang Meas Da, Cambodia Pumps Brakes o Plan for ADEAN Joint Military Exercises in South China Sea, Voa News,13 July 2023 https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodia-pumps-brakes-on-plan-for-asean-joint-military-exercises-in-south-china-sea/7134571.html
10. ANI, ASEAN planning first joint military drill amid ‘regional tensions with China’, The Economic Times, 25 June 2023 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/asean-planning-first-joint-military-drill-amid-regional-tensions-with-china/articleshow/101254867.cms?from=mdr
11. ASEAN to hold first joint military exercise in the South China Sea, CNN World, 08 June 2023 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/08/asia/asean-military-exercises-south-china-sea-indonesia-intl-hnk/index.html
12. Edna Tarigan and David Rising, Southeast Asian nations move ahead with plan for navy drills near disputed area of Soth China Sea, AP News, 20 June 2023 https://apnews.com/article/asean-military-exercise-south-china-sea-fa25b22e689744d636ae5739f8b399d8
13. Indonesia moves site of ASEAN military drills away from South China Sea, Reuters, 22 June 2023 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-moves-site-asean-military-drills-away-south-china-sea-2023-06-22/
Pic Courtsey-VNA
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)