The Philippines and the United States launched the 40th iteration of the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) joint military exercises on April 21, marking what could be the most expansive and complex version yet of the long-standing defense collaboration between the two nations.

Running until May 9, Balikatan 2025 will involve nearly 17,000 troops, most from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, conducting military drills and humanitarian operations across various parts of the Philippine archipelago.

This year’s theme is clear: Readiness in the face of modern threats, and deterrence amid intensifying geopolitical tensions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

Multi-domain exercises and real-world relevance

From its humble beginnings as a bilateral training activity, Balikatan has evolved into “one of the foremost military collaborations in the Indo-Pacific region”, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr, who formally opened the exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Across the vibrant expanse of Luzon, Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao, we will assess our readiness in all domains — air, land, sea, cyber, information, cognitive, and the emerging frontier of space — through comprehensive exercises that integrate tactical precision with strategic foresight,” Brawner said during the opening ceremony.

The 2025 iteration introduces unprecedented levels of joint capability testing, including a “full battle test” simulating large-scale combat scenarios across multiple domains.

“This year’s Balikatan serves as a full-scale defense drill designed to enhance interoperability through realistic, multi-domain training scenarios — demonstrating the continued commitment of both nations to regional peace and security,” the AFP said in a statement on April 21.

For the first time, an integrated air and missile defense simulation will be conducted, reportedly of particular interest to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has expressed intentions to observe.

The strategic positioning of training locations in northern and western Philippine provinces, particularly areas facing the West Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait, underscores the drills’ real-world relevance.

“Our operations span complex joint endeavors, including missile defense, counter-landing live fires, and maritime strike capabilities, alongside humanitarian efforts and infrastructure projects that directly benefit our local communities,” Brawner added. 

He emphasized that Balikatan is not solely about showcasing military might but also about “preserving peace and preparing for future challenges”.

Alliance commitment 

The AFP said Balikatan 2025 highlights the ironclad alliance between the Philippines and the United States and reaffirms their mutual defense commitments under the 1951 mutual defense treaty.

“Together with our allies, we reaffirm our commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, a pillar of our bilateral relations and a guardian of peace in our region. Friends, partners, allies, these words reflect the trust that we have cultivated through shared missions and the values we uphold together,” said Brawner.

The drills highlight the growing strategic partnership between Manila and Washington amid increasing tensions with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea — parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory.

The presence of U.S. forces, along with allied contingents from Japan, Australia, and other regional powers, sends a strong message of unity and defense readiness.

“The U.S. – Philippines alliance, anchored in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, remains a cornerstone of peace and stability,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. “Together, we honor our past, strengthen our present, and secure our future.”

“For decades, our nations have stood together, bound by shared values, a commitment to peace, and a vision for a free, open Indo-Pacific,” she said. “This exercise is more than a military endeavor; it’s a celebration of trust, friendship, and collective resolve to meet the challenges of our times.”

Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson affixes the Balikatan patch on AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr during the opening ceremony of Balikatan 2025 on April 21, 2025. 

Expanded participation, new capabilities

Among the high-profile military systems featured this year are the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, a long-range anti-ship missile launcher described as a “ship-killer”, and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. New capabilities, such as the Marine Air Defense Integrated System and the U.S. Army’s Typhon missile system, will also be tested.

Lieutenant General James Glynn, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and exercise director for Balikatan 2025, said this year’s drills underscore both countries’ resolve.

He described Balikatan as a “signature exercise” for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, and a clear demonstration that while the allies remain committed to peace, they possess credible combat power to back it up.

“We stand, as balikatan means shoulder to shoulder, with the Philippines and the United States, and all of us commit with a commitment to peace and a dedication to security throughout the Indo-Pacific,” Glynn said. 

“Operating shoulder to shoulder over the course of the next several weeks, we will be able to demonstrate our ability to preserve peace for the good of all nations in the region.”

This year’s exercises also mark a milestone for Japan, with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force joining as full-fledged participants for the first time. Alongside U.S. and Philippine naval vessels, Japan will take part in joint patrols in the South China Sea. Observers from 19 countries, including first-time attendees from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and the Netherlands, are also witnessing the drills.

Balikatan 2025 features four core components: Combined joint logistics over-the-shore operation, multilateral maritime exercise, command-and-control exercise, and humanitarian civic assistance programs. These integrated efforts are not just about deterring threats but also enhancing the capacity to deliver disaster response and infrastructure development across the archipelago.

For Philippine Balikatan director Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr, the message is clear: The strength of the alliance goes beyond weaponry. He echoed the strategic importance of the exercise.

“At the heart of Balikatan lies not only the strength of our alliance, but also the determination to enhance our collective ability to defend our respective national interests and contribute to global peace,” Lorenzo said. He added that the drills reflect a “comprehensive approach” to contemporary defense, including the operationalization of the Philippines’ archipelagic defense concept.

Over the years, Balikatan has grown into Southeast Asia’s most visible and robust military rehearsal, shaped by the shifting tides of regional politics. This year’s exercises take place amid repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese forces in disputed waters, with Beijing continuing to claim almost the entirety of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 ruling that invalidated its expansive claims.

As regional tensions simmer, the enduring defense pact between the Philippines and U.S. continues to serve as a bulwark against aggression.

“May Balikatan 40-25 embody unity in strength and herald a promise of peace through preparedness,” said Brawner. “It is our way of ensuring that the AFP remains a capable, agile, and forward-thinking force — prepared to defend, ready to respond, and poised to lead.”

All photos credit: Armed Forces of the Philippines

Top photo: (From left) Major General Francisco Lorenzo Jr, General Romeo Brawner Jr, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Lieutenant General James Glynn; and Major General Llewillyn Banaag, AFP’s deputy chief of staff for education, training and doctrine.