Three weeks before the official start of the Exercise Balikatan, the largest annual bilateral military drills between the Philippines and United States, Filipino and American troops swapped rifles for shovels to break ground for a two-classroom building in El Nido, Palawan on Friday, March 27. The...
For the first time in the four-decade-old history of the Balikatan Exercises, Japanese troops will participate in the most prominent drills between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States military, signaling a significant shift in the country’s defense partnership with allies...
The Philippine Army (PA) announced Wednesday, Feb. 25, that it has launched the third iteration of its large-scale Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) “Katihan” 2026 at Paredes Air Station in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. The exercise is designed to test the Army’s ability to quickly move...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has strengthened its military cooperation with the United States and Japan in separate high-level engagements ahead of major military exercises set this year, ranking officials disclosed on Saturday, Feb. 14. The Philippine Army (PA) said it is bolstering...
More than 500 bilateral engagements, such as military trainings, will be conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) in 2026, it was bared on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. met...
The United States confirmed on Thursday, July 10, that its Navy–Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missile system was used for the first time in a live-fire test in the Philippines during the recent Balikatan Exercise. US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler said...
The Philippine Army (PA) and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) will conduct a coordinated deep attack exercise in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on June 30. The live fire exercise for Operation Lightning Strike will be highlighted by the firing of two High Mobility Artillery Rocket System...
“Don’t mess with us.” This was the stern warning given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces to provocateurs in the Indo-Pacific region as they officially wrapped up the 40th edition of the Balikatan Exercises—their largest annual joint military...
The former BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), which was supposed to be sunk as part of a Balikatan missile exercise, submerged while being positioned off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales on Monday morning, May 5. No gunfire was heard nor missile was fired but the BRP Miguel Malvar descended to the bottom...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces carried out a counter-landing and live-fire exercise in Cagayan on Saturday, May 3, showcasing its coordinated firepower and rapid response capabilities aimed at deterring a seaborne invasion. The simulation, which was part of...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) carried out an amphibious landing rehearsal in the vicinity waters of Brooke’s Point, Palawan on Friday, May 2, facing the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The operation formed part of the maritime key terrain security operations (MKTSO), a critical component...
Allied vessels USS Savannah (LCS-28) from the US Navy, FFM-5 JS Yahagi from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) from Philippine Navy, USN's USS Comstock (LSD-45), PN's BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS36), and BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301) from the Philippine Coast Guard, sail...
