US Military Exercises Valiant Shield and Resolute Dragon
#GS-2 #Current Events #International #Defence #Foreign Relations
Why in News
- The United States has started two major military exercises in the Western Pacific region at the same time: Valiant Shield 2026 and Resolute Dragon 26.
About Exercises Valiant Shield and Resolute Dragon
- Valiant Shield 2026 is a large training drill held every two years with participation from multiple nations.
- The United States started this drill in 2006 as a national exercise, but it changed into a group platform in 2024 to join allied forces across sea, air, land, space, and cyberspace.
Nations Involved
- The United States leads this military exercise.
- Core participating allies include Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Key Features
- The exercises take place across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, and surrounding waters like the Philippine Sea and Mariana Islands Range Complex.
- Forces deploy the Typhon Missile System and HIMARS at Japan's Kanoya Air Base to practice anti-ship warfare and precision strikes.
- The drill tests new unmanned technology such as Australia's MQ-28A Ghost Bat, which is an artificial intelligence enabled loyal wingman drone.
About Exercise Resolute Dragon 26
- Resolute Dragon 26 is a yearly two-country training exercise held in Japan.
- It focuses on improving joint command systems and multi-domain tactics between United States expeditionary units and Japan's ground forces.
Nations Involved in Resolute Dragon
- This exercise involves cooperation between the United States and Japan.
Key Features of Resolute Dragon
- The exercise focuses heavily on defending important sea routes and remote island chains during simulated regional crises.
- It takes place across Kyushu and the Nansei Islands, bringing together the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Japan Self-Defense Forces.
- Forces use advanced coastal combat tools like NMESIS for anti-ship tasks, MADIS for air and drone defence, and TRUAS for autonomous logistics support.