MANILA, Philippines — More than 17,000 troops from the Philippines and the United States, joined by forces from Japan and other partner nations, began the annual Balikatan military exercises on Monday amid regional tensions and the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The 19-day drills include live-fire exercises in northern Philippines facing the Taiwan Strait and in a province near the disputed South China Sea, where Philippine and Chinese forces have had repeated encounters.
Exercise spokesman Col. Dennis Hernandez said Japan deployed about 1,400 personnel and plans to use a Type 88 cruise missile to sink a target ship off Paoay in northern Luzon.
The Balikatan exercises, which means “Shoulder to Shoulder,” include participants from Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada.
US exercise spokesman Col. Robert Bunn said the drills demonstrate the alliance between Washington and Manila and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. He said US troop deployment for the exercises would not change despite the ongoing Middle East war.
The exercises take place as tensions continue in the Middle East following strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and as a ceasefire nears its end.
The drills also occur as China increases military activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in November that a conflict over Taiwan could involve the Philippines due to its geographic proximity.
In February, air forces from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines conducted joint patrols over the Bashi Channel to test interoperability in maritime operations.
The Philippines has expanded defense cooperation with partner countries, signing agreements with Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and France to facilitate joint training.
Bunn said US forces may use Tomahawk and NMESIS anti-ship missile systems during the drills. Hernandez said the exercises will also test air and missile defense systems, including counter-drone capabilities.
Naval exercises will take place in waters off Luzon. Participating vessels include ships from Japan, the United States, the Philippines, and Canada.