The United States and the Philippines have officially launched one of their most extensive combat exercises to date, a significant annual demonstration of allied military strength designed to deter aggression across Asia. This major deployment occurs even as Washington remains heavily focused on the ongoing war in the Middle East, underscoring a dual strategic commitment.
Expanding Multinational Participation
This year's large-scale combat drills, known as Balikatan—meaning shoulder-to-shoulder in Tagalog—will see an expansion to include forces from Japan, France, and Canada. These nations have all signed visiting forces agreements with Manila, as confirmed by the Philippine military. The exercise is scheduled to last nearly three weeks and will involve more than 17,000 American and Filipino military personnel.
Strategic Locations and Scenarios
The drills will feature mock battle scenarios and live-fire maneuvers in key Philippine provinces facing the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. These areas are critical flashpoints in regional tensions, making the exercises particularly relevant for preparedness and deterrence.
Marine Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman emphasized during the opening ceremony that the United States' focus on the Indo-Pacific and its unwavering commitment to the Philippines remains steadfast, regardless of global challenges elsewhere. Nearly 10,000 U.S. military personnel are participating, a deployment that U.S. officials highlight as a testament to Washington's dedication to Asian security.
Regional Deterrence and Resilience
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner stated that the multinational combat drills are crucial for building deterrence and resilience against aggression in the region. While he did not mention any specific country in his speech, Brawner has previously criticized China for its assertive actions against Philippine naval and coast guard forces in the South China Sea.
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global trade route also contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Territorial confrontations, especially between Chinese and Filipino forces, have intensified in recent years, adding urgency to these military exercises.
International Reactions and Justifications
China has voiced objections to the U.S.-Philippine drills, alleging they are aimed at containing its global rise. In response, the Philippine military has insisted that the exercise does not target any specific nation and is also essential for preparing allied forces to respond effectively to natural disasters.
The United States has repeatedly warned China of its obligation to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, in the event of an armed attack on Filipino forces in disputed waters. Gen. Brawner reinforced this stance, noting a shared commitment to uphold international law, respect sovereignty, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific free from coercion.
Advanced Military Maneuvers
During the drills, Japanese forces will conduct missile launches from a coastal area in the northwestern Philippine province of Ilocos Norte, targeting a mock enemy ship approximately 40 kilometers away in the peripheries of the South China Sea. Additionally, U.S. forces will deploy a marine drone laden with explosives to further bombard the simulated enemy vessel, as detailed by Philippine marine Col. Dennis Hernandez.
Last year, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Philippine officials during a visit to Manila that the administration would collaborate with allies to enhance deterrence against global threats, including China's aggression in the South China Sea. Hegseth emphasized the importance of allies standing shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure free navigation and conflict prevention in the region.
The Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila contributed to this comprehensive report, highlighting the geopolitical significance and operational details of these pivotal military exercises.
