Filipino and American forces will gather next week for the largest joint military exercises between the history of the Philippines and the US.

More than 17,600 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military will participate in this year's Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) Exercises that will run from April 11 to 28.

Participants of this year's iteration almost doubled from 9,000 last year, which the US Embassy in Manila said proves that "the scope of the exercise grows consistently year after year." The Philippines, a "key US ally," is the largest recipient of American military assistance, equipment and training in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the embassy, about 5,400 AFP personnel and 12,200 US military personnel will train shoulder-to-shoulder to develop interoperability and improved capability in the following areas:

• maritime security
• amphibious operations
• live-fire training
• urban and aviation operations
• cyber defense, counterterrorism, and
• humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness.

"This year's iteration includes a bilateral command post exercise that will strengthen the allies' ability to plan, coordinate, and provide command and control of forces together against a range of scenarios and simulated challenges," the embassy said.

"This training event will also enable the AFP and the US military to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures related to maritime security, and deconflict fires and maneuver in a shared and contested battlespace," it added.

The field training exercises will be held across the country, according to the embassy. They will test the Philippine forces' capabilities in combined arms live-fire, information and intelligence sharing, communications between maneuver units, logistics operations and amphibious operations, among others.

Both forces will also conduct multiple Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) projects to improve infrastructure, enhance medical response, and strengthen ties between local communities and Philippine and American military forces.

"These activities include the construction or renovation of three community health centers and multipurpose halls and hands-on training in advanced emergency rescue and lifesaving techniques," the embassy said.

For AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar, the importance of Balikatan Exercises is that they enhance both of the troops' tactics across a wide range of military operations and increase their ability to work together effectively and efficiently in response to various crisis situations.

Lt. Col. Daniel Huvane, Balikatan Combined Joint Information Director, added by saying the exercises provide "unparalleled opportunities to demonstrate the strength and readiness of the Philippine-U.S. security alliance."

"Engagements such as Balikatan are important investments in our ability to work together across the spectrum of military operations, respond to crises, support the people of the Philippines, and accomplish our shared missions," Huvane added.