WARSHIPS from the United States, Australia, France and the Philippines will sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in maritime exercises coinciding with the Balikatan 2024, which begins today, April 22, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday.

Balikatan 2024 aims to bolster collaboration and readiness across a range of critical areas, said Col. Michael Logico, Balikatan 2024 spokesman, including external defense, cyber defense, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster assistance and capacity-building.