MANILA (AFP) – The Philippine and United States (US) militaries on Monday kicked off three weeks of joint exercises that will simulate a “full-scale battle scenario”.
As many as 17,000 personnel are expected to take part in the annual ‘Balikatan’, or ‘shoulder to shoulder’ drills, which for the first time will include an integrated air and missile defence simulation, to be attended by President Ferdinand Marcos.
Sophisticated US weapons including the NMESIS anti-ship missile system will also be deployed.
“We will demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defence treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so,” US Marine Corps Lieutenant General James Glynn said at Monday’s opening ceremony in Manila.
“Nothing builds bonds more quickly than shared adversity,” he said, without specifying a common threat.
Philippines Major General Francisco Lorenzo added that the 40th Balikatan exercises would reinforce the country’s ability to address “contemporary security challenges”.
It has steadily deepened defence cooperation with treaty ally the US since Marcos took office in 2022.
During a recent visit to Manila, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington was “doubling down” on the alliance.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country,” he said in late March.
Last year’s Balikatan featured tests of the US Typhon mid-range missile system.
The Philippine Army subsequently said it was planning to acquire the Typhon.
On Monday, Glynn said the Typhon system would again be present, along with the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, a short-range platform specialising in knocking out drones.
The Philippines’ Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner said last month that Manila was seeking to upgrade its arsenal, with more missile systems, warships and fighter jets.
On April 2, the US said it had approved the possible sale of USD5.58 billion in long-coveted F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was “still in the negotiation phase”.
A week later, the Philippines took possession of the first of two corvette-class warships with “advanced weapons and radar systems” acquired in a deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries. Manila’s Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Washington gives US forces access to nine bases in the Philippines.
Both the US and Philippine militaries stressed that this year’s war games would not address a potential invasion.
Besides the US, countries including Australia and Japan are sending smaller contingents to Balikatan.
