Report on U.S. Military Power 2012 (29)

Second, follow the pattern of “U.S.-Japan plus 1” and “U.S.-Japan plus X” in expanding military alliance. Japan and the ROK, the two U.S. allies in Western Pacific, were in the final stages of consultation before signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement (ACSA) for cooperation in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and exchange of military information (ROK withdrew from signing the documents at the last minute). In order to better policy coordination to tackle DPRK’s increasing threats and China’s rising military clout, the U.S., Japan, and the ROK announced the establishment of a trilateral security consultation mechanism in July. In February, Australia joined “Cope North”—a joint air combat exercise conducted by the U.S. and Japan—for the first time. In June, the U.S., Japan, and Australia conducted a joint maritime exercise off the eastern coast of Kyushu. In September, the U.S., Japan, the ROK, and Australia carried out a military exercise as part of the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative. The drill took place in waters 100 kilometers off the South Korean port city of Busan.

Third, sell advanced weaponry and equipment or provide military assistance to allies to increase their military strength. The U.S. approved a deal of selling 40 F-35 fighters to Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), and intends to sell MV-22 Osprey to Japan. The U.S. agreed to double its military assistance to the Philippines from $15 million to $30 million. It also promised to provide the Philippines with two coastal patrol ships. In addition, it will share real-time information about the South China Sea with the Philippines and help it build national coastal monitoring center. In June, 2012, the U.S. and the ROK reached an agreement, allowing the latter to increase the range of its deployable missiles from 300 kilometers to 800 kilometers.

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