Operation Keen Sword underway in the Philippines

Keen Sword 2010

Keen Sword, the largest joint military exercise between US and Japanese armed forces this year, is underway in the Philippine Sea.

The exercises include simulated air combat, amphibious manoeuvres and ballistic missile defence trials amid growing Chinese aggression near the disputed Senkaku (or Diaoyu) Islands.

The US and Japan are drawing up an operations plan to defend the islands in the event of a Chinese attack.