Jul 14, Kathmandu - The United States has deployed state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets to the Philippines for the first time. The deployment of the F-35 fighter jets to the Philippines comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea with China's growing influence.

The US aircraft carrier USS George Washington recently arrived in the port of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. According to Indian news agency ANI, with this, the US has deployed its fifth-generation advanced F-35 fighter jets in the Philippines for the first time.

The fighter jets are scheduled to conduct joint military exercises with the Philippine Air Force. The exercise, which will be conducted from July 7 to 18, has been named ‘Cop Thunder 25-2’.

The United States and the Philippines have a long-standing defense treaty. Under this treaty, the United States has been assisting the Philippines in defending its sovereignty.