Report: Extra-regional countries' military presence rises in Western Pacific

A new report released on Tuesday points to a growing military presence by European countries and US allies in the Western Pacific.

According to the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI), countries including the UK, France, and Germany, along with US allies such as Australia and Canada, have stepped up military activities in the region in 2025.

The report says around 200 warships from 18 countries outside the region operated in the Western Pacific last year, with the US Navy accounting for more than half of them. The vessels were active in key waterways across the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and waters near Japan.

The report also recorded more than 20,000 aircraft sorties by extra-regional countries last year, mainly involving US fighters, helicopters, and reconnaissance aircraft, while non-US missions were largely transport flights.

Hu Bo, director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, said the political signaling behind these deployments may outweigh their direct military impact, but added that their effect on regional security dynamics “cannot be overlooked”.

The report also warned that some operations conducted by countries, including Australia and Canada, have resulted in unsafe encounters at sea and in the air.