The United States simultaneously kicked off two major Western Pacific military exercises: Valiant Shield 2026 and Resolute Dragon 26. Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26) is a biennial, high-intensity multinational field training exercise, initially launched in 2006 as a US-only drill, which evolved in 2024 into a major multilateral platform integrating allied combat forces across sea, air, land, space, and cyberspace. Lead nation is the US, with core allies including Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, conducted across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, and surrounding waters, deploying advanced firepower including the Typhon Missile System and HIMARS.
Defence
US Launches Two Major Western Pacific Military Exercises: Valiant Shield 2026 and Resolute Dragon 26
Key Points
- The United States simultaneously kicked off two major Western Pacific military exercises: Valiant Shield 2026 and Resolute Dragon 26
- Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26) is a biennial, high-intensity multinational field training exercise, initially launched in 2006 as a US-only drill, which evolved in 2024 into a major multilateral platform integrating allied combat forces across sea, air, land, space, and cyberspace
- Lead nation is the US, with core allies including Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, conducted across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, and surrounding waters, deploying advanced firepower including the Typhon Missile System and HIMARS
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Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26): biennial US-led multinational exercise; launched 2006, multilateral since 2024. Core allies: Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. Geographic scope: Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, Philippine Sea. Weapons: Typhon Missile System, HIMARS at Japan's Kanoya Air Base.
