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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Armor diplomacy: PH, Japan tanks fire first combined salvos in Tarlac live-fire drill

Armor diplomacy: PH, Japan tanks fire first combined salvos in Tarlac live-fire drill

Published May 3, 2026 03:07 pm
Philippine Army (PA) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) leaders link arms while a Sabrah light tank and a Manuever Combat Vehicle are on the background during their first-ever combined live fire exercise between the two forces as part of Exercise Salaknib at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac, held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Philippine Army (PA) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) leaders link arms while a Sabrah light tank and a Manuever Combat Vehicle are on the background during their first-ever combined live fire exercise between the two forces as part of Exercise Salaknib at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac, held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
The Philippine Army (PA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted their first combined live-fire exercise during Exercise Salaknib 2026 at the lahar fields of Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac, it was revealed on Sunday, May 3.
The PA said the exercise, held from May 1 to 2, involved more than 200 troops from the Army’s 1st Tank Battalion under the Armor “Pambato” Division and around 40 troops from the JGSDF Recon Combat Battalion, 12th Brigade.
The Army also deployed four Sabrah Light Tanks while the Japanese side utilized four maneuver combat vehicles.
The two-day activity combined a subject matter expert exchange and a live-fire drill that was observed by senior defense and military officials.
“The live fire exercise followed a tactical scenario that included locating the enemy, fixing their position, and ultimately destroying the target,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
“Troops also rehearsed safety protocols, including troubleshooting procedures in the event of a misfire or weapon malfunction with appropriate corrective actions taken to ensure operational safety and mission continuity,” he added.
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicles fire at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicles fire at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Armor Division training participants maneuver the Sabra light tank during the first-ever Philippine Army (PA)-Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Armor Division training participants maneuver the Sabra light tank during the first-ever Philippine Army (PA)-Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, Philippine Army (PA) vice commander, aboard the Armor Division's Sabra light tank during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, Philippine Army (PA) vice commander, aboard the Armor Division's Sabra light tank during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Armor Division's Sabra light tank fires at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Armor Division's Sabra light tank fires at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicle maneuvers on the lahar field during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicle maneuvers on the lahar field during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicle fires at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Maneuver Combat Vehicle fires at a target during the first-ever Philippine Army-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exercise Salaknib combined live fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
(L-R) Armor Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ronel R. Manalo, Philippine Army (PA) Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 12th Brigade Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Yoshifumi Ogura witness the first-ever combined live fire exercise of the two forces as part of Exercise Salaknib at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
(L-R) Armor Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ronel R. Manalo, Philippine Army (PA) Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 12th Brigade Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Yoshifumi Ogura witness the first-ever combined live fire exercise of the two forces as part of Exercise Salaknib at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac held from May 1 to 2, 2026. (Photo: PA)
Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, PA vice commander, witnessed the drill along with Brig. Gen. Ronel R. Manalo, commander of the Armor Division; Col. Yoshifumi Ogura, deputy brigade commander of JGSDF 12th Brigade; Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Executive Director Undersecretary Antonio Habulan; and United States Army Pacific Commander Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees.
The joint exercise was conducted within the broader framework of Salaknib (shield in Ilocano), an Army-to-Army training between the Philippines and United States which supports the PA’s ongoing shift toward external security operations. This year's iteration marked the first time that Japanese troops participated in the drills.
The engagement was built on expanding defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting deeper interoperability efforts among treaty and partner forces operating in the region, Dema-ala explained.
Exercise Salaknib 2026 is scheduled from May to June 2026, coinciding with the conclusion of the broader Exercise Balikatan on May 8.

Related Tags

Philippine Army armored tanks Tarlac live-fire exercise Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
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