US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will visit the Philippines after his visit to India. This will happen as the joint US-Philippine "Shoulder-to-Shoulder" military exercise is underway.

During his visit, Carter is set to meet Philippine President Benigno Aquino the Third and visit Philippine army training bases. He will be the first US Defense Secretary to observe the military drill.

Philippine authorities say the country will receive 75 million US dollars worth of military aid from the US, an increase from the 50 million last year. However, Carter said the US will give 40 million US dollars in military aid to the Philippines for information sharing, surveillance and maritime patrol, saying that this will bring the US-Philippine alliance to a new level.