This year’s “Balikatan” military exercises between Filipino and American troops will conduct drills that will go through the full spectrum of military operations to assess the readiness of the participating soldiers, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

“Across the vibrant expanse of Luzon, Palawan, the Visayas and Mindanao, we will assess our readiness in all domains — air, land, sea, cyber, information, cognitive and the emerging frontier of space — through comprehensive exercises that integrate tactical precision with strategic foresight,” he said in his speech during the Balikatan opening ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Monday.

An estimated 14,000 soldiers from the Philippines and United States will be taking part in the exercises scheduled until May 9 in various parts of the country. Brawner said around 20 countries will also deploy observers.

Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands are sending observer teams for the first time.

“Our operations span complex joint endeavors, including missile defense, counter-landing live fires and maritime strike capabilities, alongside humanitarian efforts and infrastructure projects that directly benefit our local communities,” Brawner said.

The initiatives are not solely about demonstrating military power, but also stresses the partnership of the Philippines and the US in actions which are dedicated to safeguarding people and preserving the peace and preparing for future challenges, he said.

“Together with our allies, we reaffirm our commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, a pillar of our bilateral relations and a guardian of peace in our region. Friends, partners, allies, these words reflect the trust that we have cultivated through shared missions and the values we uphold together,” he said.

The 40th Balikatan highlights ongoing efforts to modernize the AFP, beef up its interoperability with its allies and reinforcing its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) strategy that seeks to defend the Philippines’ vast territories, including its 200-nautical exclusive economic zone, Brawner said.

“It is our way of ensuring that the AFP remains a capable, agile and forward-thinking force, prepared to defend and ready to respond and poised to lead,” he said. “To our US counterparts and all participating countries, we extend our deepest gratitude for your commitment, steadfast cooperation and enduring confidence in this remarkable partnership. May this exercise embody unity in strength and herald a promise of peace through preparedness.”

Defending PH, US interests

Meanwhile, Philippine Balikatan director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr. said that exercises highlight the determination of the Philippines and the US to defend their national interests.

“At the heart of Balikatan lies not only the strength of our alliance, but also the determination to enhance our collective ability to defend our respective national interests and contribute to global peace,” he said.

Lorenzo said Balikatan 2025 will focus on “comprehensive approach that encompasses full battle testing (and) the continued operationalization of the archipelagic defense concept and the refinement of territorial defense strategies.”

“Through this exercise, we reinforce our readiness to address contemporary security challenges and strengthen our ability to respond to any threats, ensuring that our defense capabilities are adaptable and resilient,” he said.

Lorenzo said the Balikatan also serves as a platform for humanitarian civic assistance activities and embodies its commitment to the welfare of Filipinos.

Signature exercise

US Marine Corps Forces Pacific commander Lt. Gen. James Glynn also said the Balikatan is a signature exercise in maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific” aside from ensuring the defense of the Philippines.

“We stand, as balikatan means shoulder to shoulder, with the Philippines and the United States, and all of us commit with a commitment to peace and a dedication to security throughout the Indo-Pacific. And this is why in Balikatan ‘25, 40 iterations later, you will experience that we will push ourselves individually further and our equipment and our capabilities to the edge of what our capabilities are,” he said.

Glynn said this year’s Balikatan” will showcase a “full battle test,” the purposeful integration of real world security situations relevant to the region with live, virtual and constructive training opportunities that will give the Philippines and the US a collective opportunity to demonstrate capabilities across all domains, across all services and all forces.

The US military official said they will introduce new capabilities like the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, Marine Air Defense Integrated System and the US Army’s Medium Range Capability, the Typhon missile system.

“We are all here to bring together our capabilities, to demonstrate and reassure the region that while we remain committed to peace, we also possess credible combat power that backs up that commitment and our promise to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Glynn said. (PNA)