Washington, DC – In an unprecedented show of force reflecting the realignment of US strategic priorities, the United States and the Philippines began one of their largest annual combat exercises on Monday.
These drills, known as Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder), serve as a clear deterrent intended to curb Chinese ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. They also underscore Washington’s ability to protect its allies in Asia despite its deep involvement in the ongoing crises in the Middle East.
International expansion and multinational involvement
The Philippine military announced that this year’s Balikatan exercise marks a significant shift, expanding participation to include militaries from Japan, France, and Canada.
The inclusion of these forces follows the signing of security agreements with Manila regarding “visiting forces.” Consequently, the exercise transforms from a bilateral maneuver into a multinational coalition aimed at bolstering resilience against potential aggression.
More than 17,000 troops are participating in this iteration, including approximately 10,000 American soldiers.
U.S. military officials emphasized that this massive deployment demonstrates Washington’s “unwavering” commitment to the Philippines, despite other security challenges facing the U.S. administration internationally.
War scenarios at contact points
The exercises are scheduled to last approximately three weeks and will take place in highly sensitive areas, including Philippine provinces bordering the disputed South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The drills will include simulated battle scenarios and live-fire exercises. Additionally, they aim to simulate repelling a maritime attack and test coordination among allied forces.
In detailing the operations, Colonel Dennis Hernandez of the Philippine Marines revealed that Japanese forces would conduct missile launches from Ilocos Norte province to sink a mock enemy vessel. In response, US forces would use explosive-laden maritime drones to carry out precision attacks, highlighting the technological advancements in deterrence tactics employed.
Political messages directed at Beijing
During the opening ceremony, General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, asserted that these exercises uphold international law and ensure a “free and open” maritime zone, free from coercion. While not directly naming China, the remarks were a response to recent aggressive Chinese actions against the Philippine Coast Guard in disputed waters. Beijing claims sovereignty over these waters.
For its part, China strongly objected to these exercises, viewing them as an American attempt to contain its global rise.
Nevertheless, Washington remains committed to its obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty, warning that any armed attack on Philippine forces would be met with a decisive response.
This tone was reinforced by previous statements from US Defense Secretary Pete Higseth, who affirmed that the Trump administration would work alongside its allies to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and prevent any attempt to alter the status quo by force.
