The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that the 2026 Balikatan military exercises with the United States and allied nations will be the largest ever held, both in scale and intensity.
According to military officials, the upcoming drills are expected to involve thousands of troops and expanded joint operations, reflecting deeper security cooperation between the Philippines and its defense partners. The annual “Balikatan,” which means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is the flagship joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
AFP leaders said preparations are underway for a wider range of activities that will include live-fire drills, amphibious landings, and large-scale field training exercises. These activities are designed to improve coordination, interoperability, and readiness among participating forces.
The exercises are tentatively scheduled to take place from late April to early May 2026, with training events expected in several locations across the Philippines, particularly in Luzon.
Balikatan drills have expanded steadily over the years as the Philippines strengthens defense ties with allies amid growing regional security concerns. Additional partner nations and observers are also expected to participate in the 2026 edition of the exercises.
Military officials emphasized that the training will help improve the country’s capability to respond to external security threats, maritime challenges, and humanitarian emergencies. The drills also aim to enhance the operational coordination of allied forces in crisis situations.
The Balikatan exercises remain a cornerstone of the long-standing defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States, which is anchored on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and other security agreements.