US, Philippine, Japanese and Canadian Forces Conduct Joint Maritime Strike Exercise off Northern Luzon

United States, Philippine, Japanese and Canadian forces sank two decommissioned vessels off the western Northern Luzon coast during a two-day maritime strike that formed a centerpiece of Exercise Balikatan 2026. The Joint Task Force Maritime Strike, known as MARSTRIKE, took place on Wednesday and Thursday as a critical live-fire event.

It brought together sensors, missile systems, aircraft and naval assets from the four countries to coordinate long-range fires against maritime targets.

Exercise Balikatan 2026 wrapped up on Friday. Defense News reported that the sinking occurred during the largest annual military exercise between the United States and the Philippines. The drill is designed to improve combined readiness and maritime defense capabilities while showcasing the countries’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

On the first day, forces sank the decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel BRP Quezon with a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type-88 surface-to-ship missile. U.S. Army used High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to conduct strikes.

U.S. and Philippine forces,” JGSDF Lt. Col. Ishikawa Daisuke said in the announcement.

Philippine Air Force FA-50PH Fighting Eagles and A-29 Super Tucanos sank the BRP Rajah Sulayman on the second day. The BRP Rajah Sulayman was a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship used as a target.

U.S. Marine Corps’ Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and Marine Air Defense Integrated System. Fixed-wing aircraft from participating forces, unmanned aerial systems and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown also took part.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. U.S. joint task force-forward, stated that the MARSTRIKE demonstrated the strength of the combined and joint force. “The MARSTRIKE demonstrated the strength of our combined and joint force by integrating sensors and shooters across multiple domains to achieve a shared tactical objective,” he said.

Philippine Marine Corps Col. Dennis Hernandez, spokesperson for Balikatan 2026, highlighted the interoperability gains. “The successful execution of the Maritime Strike activity demonstrates the growing level of interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our allies,” he said.

The event marked the latest demonstration of coordinated multi-domain operations among the four partners in the western Pacific.