How expanded Japan-US military exercises could complicate PLA planning over Taiwan

Japan and the United States will rehearse moving anti-ship missiles, air defences and communications networks onto islands near Taiwan this month in an expanded military exercise that analysts said could complicate Beijing’s planning for a Taiwan or East China Sea conflict.

Keen Sword 27, which runs from October 19 to 29, will involve about 45,000 Japanese personnel, 6,100 vehicles, 40 ships and 260 aircraft, up from about 33,000 personnel, 30 ships and 250 aircraft in 2024.

About 12,000 US troops are reportedly expected to take part. France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the Philippines, which were observers in 2024, are listed as participants this year alongside Australia and Canada.

Christopher Hughes, a professor of international politics and Japanese studies at the University of Warwick, said Japan and the US were “building out their ‘wall’ strategy in the East China Sea”.