US holds Valiant Shield wargames in western Pacific; India deepens Vietnam push

US holds Valiant Shield wargames in western Pacific; India deepens Vietnam push The United States Pacific Command, alongside allied and partner forces, has launched Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 across the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and Japan, east of the Philippines. Now in its 11th iteration, the biennial drill has evolved from a unilateral US exercise into a multilateral wargame that showcases interoperability and reflects the shifting demands of the Indo-Pacific security environment.Valiant Shield 2026 integrates air, land, sea, space and cyber operations, with US Space Command and US Transportation Command expanding multidomain collaboration. The deployment of systems such as the Typhon missile system and HIMARS to Japan’s Kanoya Air Base underscores the exercise’s emphasis on advanced firepower and integrated air and missile defence. Australia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand are participating, with Australia contributing a P-8A Poseidon and embedded personnel.Admiral Steve Koehler, commander of US Pacific Fleet, described the exercise as a demonstration of an “enduring commitment to a free and open Indo‑Pacific,” highlighting its role in preparing joint forces for contingencies ranging from humanitarian response to armed conflict. The drills project regional power and ensure allied forces can operate in a complex, multidomain environment. End of Article