Filipino soldiers launch rockets in training drill with US troops

Filipino soldiers launched rockets in a live fire drill with U.S. troops in the Philippines.

Footage shows soldiers of the Philippine Army and US Army Pacific firing a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during the ongoing SALAKNIB Exercise in Nueva Ecija province on August 9.

The Philippine Army said in a statement: 'Philippine Army's Artillery Regiment and Field Artillery personnel from the US Army's Multi-Domain Task Force worked closely together to maneuver, reload, and fire the HIMARS batteries.

'The HIMARS, a missile launcher mounted on a five-ton truck, is capable of firing six guided missiles in rapid succession.'

The SALAKNIB Exercise is a bilateral military drill done to foster 'interoperability and readiness' of the allied armies.

The training was held as the Philippines faces territorial disputes with neighbouring China, which is becoming increasingly aggressive over its claims in the South China Sea.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.