With reference to the recent Balikatan military exercises, consider the following statements:
The Balikatan exercise is a joint annual military drill between the United States and the Philippines.
The 2025 edition involved the first-ever full-scale battle simulation near the Spratly Islands.
The exercise aims to assert China's legal control over the South China Sea.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Correct: Balikatan is an annual joint military exercise conducted by the United States and the Philippines, aimed at improving interoperability, coordination, and regional defence capabilities.
Correct: The 2025 edition of Balikatan is notable for simulating a "full-scale battle scenario", marking an escalation in preparedness amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, especially near the Spratly Islands.
Incorrect: The Balikatan exercise does not support China’s territorial claims. On the contrary, it is part of deterrence strategies by the Philippines and the U.S. against China’s unlawful claims, which have been rejected by international rulings.

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Correct: Balikatan is an annual joint military exercise conducted by the United States and the Philippines, aimed at improving interoperability, coordination, and regional defence capabilities.
Correct: The 2025 edition of Balikatan is notable for simulating a "full-scale battle scenario", marking an escalation in preparedness amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, especially near the Spratly Islands.
Incorrect: The Balikatan exercise does not support China’s territorial claims. On the contrary, it is part of deterrence strategies by the Philippines and the U.S. against China’s unlawful claims, which have been rejected by international rulings.

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