Japan Fires Type 88 Missiles from Philippine Soil in Balikatan Exercise

The first missile hit a former minesweeper dating from World War II that was 47 miles away after a six-minute flight. The live-fire event served as a culminating activity of Exercise Balikatan 2026. The missile firing marked the first deployment of Japanese combat troops on Philippine soil since the end of World War II.

Approximately 1,400 Japanese soldiers participated in the exercise under a reciprocal access agreement ratified by Manila and Tokyo on Sep. 11, 2025. Officials from both countries attended the event. The exercise took place from Apr. 20 to May 8 and involved about 17,000 troops from seven countries.

In addition to the Japanese missiles, a U.S. Army HIMARS fired a GMLRS rocket while U.S. Marine Corps NMESIS and Philippine Navy C-Star systems conducted simulated attacks. The Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment oversaw command and control of the maritime strike portion.

The missile firings signal expanding defense ties between Japan and the Philippines. Both nations face shared concerns over maritime activity in waters near their territories. The Philippines did not fire its BrahMos anti-ship missiles acquired from India during the event.

Defense officials from the two countries met in Manila the day before the firing. Discussions included Tokyo’s recently relaxed policy on exporting lethal weapons. The Philippines is already planning to acquire second-hand Beechcraft King Air aircraft and Abukuma-class destroyers from Japan.

” — Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Anti-ship missiles positioned along this chain could influence naval movements in the event of a conflict. The exercise demonstrated capabilities that could target vessels in the Western Pacific.