The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces have launched the 41st iteration of Balikatan, bringing together around 17,000 troops in what is now the largest and most expansive edition of the long-running joint exercise.
The drills signal a strengthened alliance and a broader push to reinforce regional security amid evolving threats.
The opening ceremony, held at Camp Aguinaldo, gathered top military and diplomatic officials, including US Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Y. Robert Ewing and AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr., along with senior commanders from both sides.
This year’s exercise features expanded multinational participation, with forces from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand joining the drills, while 13 other countries are participating as observers—underscoring growing international support for collective defense efforts in the region.
Brawner said the exercise goes beyond routine training, describing it as a concrete demonstration of unity and preparedness. He emphasized that Balikatan reflects both nations’ commitment to act together in preserving peace and stability.
The 2026 edition also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Philippines–United States Mutual Defense Treaty, highlighting decades of military cooperation anchored on a shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.