Military Space News
FLOATING STEEL
US aircraft carrier makes Philippines port call
US aircraft carrier makes Philippines port call
by AFP Staff Writers
Manila (AFP) July 3, 2025

The nuclear-powered US carrier George Washington arrived off the Philippine capital Thursday for a port visit, as the two allies increase defence cooperation aimed at contesting China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The Nimitz-class vessel's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong.

Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, through which more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit.

"The US Navy along with our allies and partners are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the ship's spokesman, Lieutenant-Commander Mark Langford, told AFP by email, without offering further details about the visit.

"These operations demonstrate the commitment to stability in the region, a commitment we uphold throughout the year and regardless of current events," Langford said, calling the Philippines a "long-standing and critical ally".

Manila and Washington have deepened their cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing's South China Sea claims.

Bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty, the two allies conduct frequent maritime exercises in the South China Sea. The Philippine and US coast guards in May conducted their first-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation's coastal waters.

The Shandong, which sailed off the northern Philippines in April, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday after concluding combat drills in the western Pacific alongside fellow Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning.

The US Department of Defense said in a December report that China numerically has the largest navy in the world, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FLOATING STEEL
Chinese carrier Shandong moors in Hong Kong on 'great power' visit
Hong Kong (AFP) July 3, 2025
China's first domestically built aircraft carrier sailed into Hong Kong on Thursday, just days after the city marked 28 years under Chinese rule. The Shandong, measuring more than 300 metres (1,000 feet) and commissioned in 2019, is China's second carrier and is central to its regional ambitions under President Xi Jinping, who has overseen a massive naval buildup that has rattled Asian neighbours. Beijing has said the Shandong and its escort vessels, which include the destroyers Zhanjiang and Ya ... read more

FLOATING STEEL
York deploys Dragoon satellite to bolster SDA missile alert and tactical link goals

NATO partners with Planet Labs to boost global surveillance and early warning capability

Trump 'Golden Dome' plan tricky and expensive: experts

Trump's Golden Dome rethinks defense against long-range threats

FLOATING STEEL
Germany considering buying US air defence systems for Ukraine

Zelensky says discussed buying US air-defence systems with Trump

Sweden acquires German air defence systems for $930 mn

Israel power supplier reports damage near 'strategic' facility in south

FLOATING STEEL
Ukraine says Russia launched largest drone, missile attack of war

Canada turns to drones for reforestation after wildfires

First SIRTAP tactical drone prototype completes assembly ahead of ground trials

Chinese journalist hurt by Ukrainian drone attack in Russia: network

FLOATING STEEL
Quantum Secure Space Tech Partnership Launched by Space TS and Synergy Quantum

Eutelsat to Deliver Low Orbit Satellite Services Under New French Defense Agreement

France finds cash for 'strategic asset' satellite firm Eutelsat

Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

FLOATING STEEL
Finnish MPs approve withdrawal from anti-mine treaty

Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict

B61-13 gravity bomb reaches first production milestone ahead of projected timeline

NATO learns as Ukraine's 'creativity' changes battlefield

FLOATING STEEL
US halting some shipments of military aid to Ukraine

Turkey-US arms spat likely to be settled 'by year's end': US envoy

Top Chinese military official under corruption probe removed from office

German police probe possible Russian sabotage after army trucks torched

FLOATING STEEL
U.S. halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine over stockpile concerns

Ecuador's Noboa plans referendum to reopen U.S. military base in Manta

Celebrations for Dalai Lama's 90th reflect challenges ahead

Trump: No progress made on Ukraine war cease-fire in call with Putin

FLOATING STEEL
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.