The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the United States Armed Forces through the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), kicked off Exercise Balikatan 40-2025 today, April 20.
The exercise, which will have observers from 19 nations, aims to further strengthen the long-standing alliance between the two countries, expand bilateral relationships, and foster regional security, cooperation, and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The 19-day joint military exercises will feature larger and full-scale joint training activities, to be participated in by other nations. These are designed to test interoperability and enhance operational readiness in diverse scenarios, underscoring the ironclad alliance between the Philippines and the United States, and reaffirming mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
Activities include the Multilateral Maritime Event (MME), where the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will join for the first time; the Command and Control Exercise (C2X); and the Combined Joint All-Domain Operations (CJADO), which encompass Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Maritime Strike (MARSTRIKE), and Counter Landing Live Fire Exercises (CLLF).
USINDOPACOM will also deploy the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a ground-based mobile anti-ship missile system, in strategic areas in Northern Luzon and Batanes.
The joint training also aligns with the AFP’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), supporting the modernization of capabilities to meet emerging threats, including cyber, maritime, and disaster response scenarios.
In addition to Japan, other like-minded nations have also been invited to observe under the International Observer Program to enhance transparency and cooperation with allies and partners. Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom have confirmed their participation, strengthening regional solidarity.
Aside from the military drills, the two forces are also conducting civil-military engagements for host communities, including infrastructure projects, healthcare services, and economic stimulation.
Ahead of the opening ceremony of the exercises, Filipino and American soldiers have already carried out a series of civil-military engagements in host communities, delivering Engineering Civic Action Projects (ENCAP) and Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) programs.
Troops from the US Marine Corps, together with the Philippine Navy Seabees, are currently constructing a healthcare facility in Barangay Iraan, Rizal, and a two-classroom school building for Felipe Irader Elementary School (FIES) in Brgy. Ipilan, Brooke’s Point. Their respective chaplain services also distributed “bundles of joy” containing school supplies to students of Manggahan Elementary School in Iraan and FIES.
Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force reservists under the 4th Air Force Reserve Center also participated in the HCA in Brooke’s Point town, where they served as force multipliers, assisting in various activities.
