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Philippines and US Launch Largest Balikatan Exercises with 17,000 Troops
Over 17,000 troops from seven countries, including 10,000 from the US, began the annual Balikatan military exercises in the Philippines on April 20. The drills, running until mid-May, focus on interoperability and include first-time participation by Japanese forces. Officials stated the exercises demonstrate commitment to regional stability amid global events.
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The annual Balikatan military exercises between the Philippines and the United States commenced on April 20, involving over 17,000 troops from seven countries. The exercises are scheduled to continue until the second week of May and are described as the largest and most complex to date.
Participating nations include the US, Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and France. Approximately 10,000 of the troops are from the US military. The drills aim to test interoperability in the context of the Philippines' external defense priorities.
For the first time, troops from the Japan Self-Defense Forces are participating, following the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Manila and Tokyo two years ago.
The exercises include multilateral maritime events and maritime strike drills, primarily under the Northern Luzon Command. This command oversees areas such as Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea and waters between Luzon and Taiwan. Media coverage is focused on activities in the northern regions.
Additional activities occur in the south, including rehearsals for equipment and supply offloading at the Port of Cagayan de Oro prior to the exercises. Troops and equipment were transported from there to Luzon. Several Asian countries are participating as observers.
Wortman, commanding general of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, stated that Balikatan demonstrates the US commitment to the Philippines. He added that the participation of multiple nations reflects consensus on a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific.
