Philippines and US begin Balikatan 2026 military exercises testing ‘real-world’ readiness

Philippine and United States forces have begun the 2026 Balikatan military exercises, including maritime strike drills near Itbayat in northern Philippines, close to Taiwan, aimed at testing readiness under “real-world conditions”, according to Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner.

The April 20–May 8 drills involve over 17,000 troops, including around 10,000 US personnel, with Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and Japan participating, highlighting expanded security partnerships.

Exercises include precision strikes, integrated air and missile defence, counter-landing operations and live-fire drills using BrahMos missiles and Japan’s Type 88 anti-ship systems.

China, via foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, criticised the drills as destabilising, while US Marine Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman said they have “no target nation”.

ℹ️ Reuters

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Philippine Exercise Director Francisco Lorenzo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Robert Ewing, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Major General Elmer B Suderio, and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of the Balikatan joint military exercises, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/Noel Celis
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Philippines and US begin Balikatan 2026 military exercises testing ‘real-world’ readiness
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