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5h ago

U.S. and Philippines Launch Balikatan Exercises With Broader Allied Lineup

The drills signal allied resolve in the Western Pacific despite U.S. focus on the Middle East.

Philippine military Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, left, has the "Balikatan" patch from U.S. Charge d' Affaires, Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
From left, Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Philippine exercise director, Philippine military Chief General Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d' Affaires, Ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Philippine Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations J3 Major General Elmer Suderio and US Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, Commanding General I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder", Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippine and U.S. soldiers salute during the flag ceremony at the opening ceremony of the U.S.-Philippines "Balikatan" joint military exercises, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/Noel Celis
Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman, Commanding General of the U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks during the opening ceremonies of the joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder," Monday, April 20, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Overview

  • The 19-day exercise that opened Monday brings together more than 17,000 troops, including nearly 10,000 Americans and 1,400 from Japan, with partners from Australia, France, Canada, and New Zealand.
  • Live-fire events are set in northern Luzon facing the Taiwan Strait and in a province near the disputed South China Sea, with tests of integrated air and missile defense and counter-drone systems.
  • Japanese forces plan to fire a Type 88 anti-ship missile from Ilocos Norte to sink a target ship off Paoay, and U.S. troops will add explosive drone strikes in the same scenario.
  • U.S. commanders say the deployment underscores a firm commitment to the Philippines and regional deterrence, while China objects and Manila says the drills do not target any country.
  • New access pacts with Japan, Canada, and France enabled the larger coalition, and participating navies will field destroyers, landing ships, and frigates to practice joint operations.