Politics Philippines and US Launch Extensive Balikatan 2025 Military Exercises

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MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the United States have commenced the annual Balikatan military exercises as of April 21, with drills underscoring combat readiness in an increasingly complex security environment. The exercises, running until May 9, reflect the evolving strategic focus to bolster defense capabilities across various domains in response to regional tensions.

 

The 2025 iteration of Balikatan will involve roughly 5,000 Filipino soldiers and 10,000 US military personnel. This comes amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea, where China's expansive claims clash with a 2016 ruling in favor of the Philippines' territorial rights.

 

For the first time, the exercises will integrate an air and missile defense simulation—a development directly requested by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The drills will feature operations across Luzon, Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao, testing readiness in air, land, sea, cyber, information, cognitive, and space domains. These operations will include missile defense, counter-landing live-fire exercises, and maritime strike capabilities.

 

Advanced military capabilities will also be showcased, like the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), and the Army's Mid-Range Capability Typhon missile system. Such systems are pivotal in supporting defensive measures and have been termed "ship-killers" for their groundbreaking abilities.

 

 

 

Lieutenant General James Glynn, the US director for Balikatan, emphasized the exercises as a rehearsal of interoperability between the allied forces, demonstrating mutual defense strategies effective since 1951. Philippine exercise director Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr. echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role Balikatan plays in advancing the Philippines' military modernization and coordination with allies.

 

Notably, the presence of observer nations has expanded this year, with first-time observers from European countries such as the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and the Netherlands joining 15 other countries. The broadened participation underscores Balikatan’s recognition of regional security priorities.

 

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo highlighted the exercises' significance, noting a departure from the primarily counter-terrorism focus observed in earlier years. The current geopolitical complexity necessitates a robust response aligned with shared defense commitments, particularly in the face of rising regional tensions.

 

Last month, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced Washington's unwavering commitment to supporting the Philippines. As the exercises unfold, they serve not only to strengthen the US-Philippines alliance but also to promote broader regional stability and cooperation.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar

 

-- 2025-04-21