Philippines and US Launch Largest Balikatan Exercises with 17,000 Troops

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.

The exercises occur amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including the war involving the US and Israel against Iran, which began in late February. France reduced its deployment to 15-20 personnel for training in Palawan and the Philippine capital, down from a larger planned involvement.

A survey by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, conducted before the Middle East war, showed 54.7% of Philippine respondents welcomed US regional influence, down from 66% in 2025. Worry over US influence rose to 45.3% from 34%. The survey identified US leadership under President Trump as the top geopolitical concern for 51.9% of regional respondents, surpassing other issues like global scam operations and behavior in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has experienced fluctuations in oil prices due to the Middle East conflict. President Ferdinand Marcos announced rollbacks in diesel and gas prices after they rose significantly. The transportation sector was particularly affected by the surges.

For the exercises, partner nations provide their own supplies. Colonel Robert Bunn, US military spokesperson for Balikatan, stated that the US purchased fuel for the drills three to four months in advance. Military officials noted sensitivity to energy use and road impacts during the activities.