US, Philippines launch largest-ever Balikatan drills as China warns against ‘division and confrontation’

Asia-Pacific, News, US April 21, 2026 , by IRIA Comments Off

6 minute read

The United States and the Philippines began their largest-ever joint military exercises on April 20, 2026, bringing together around 17,000 troops in a major show of alliance strength in the Indo-Pacific region.

The annual drills, known as Balikatan, will run from April 20 to May 8 and involve forces from the United States, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand. An additional 13 countries are participating as observers.

The exercise comes at a time of rising regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, and has drawn criticism from China, which warned that such activities risk increasing instability.

This year’s Balikatan is the 41st edition and the most expansive so far, both in scale and scope. The drills include ground, maritime, air, and cyber operations, as well as live-fire exercises and coordinated defense scenarios.

Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the exercises are designed to test readiness under realistic conditions.

Philippine Exercise Director Francisco Lorenzo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d' Affaires Robert Ewing, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Major General Elmer B Suderio, and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Christian Wortman — ^{Philippine Exercise Director Francisco Lorenzo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner, U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Robert Ewing, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Major General Elmer B Suderio, and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Christian Wortman, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of the Balikatan joint military exercises, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on April 20, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters/Noel Celis)}

“We train across the breadth of our archipelago, testing our readiness in real-world conditions across all domains,” Brawner said.

He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, stating that “to our allies and partners, your presence here today sends a clear and unmistakable message that security is shared and that partnership remains our strongest advantage.”

Japan’s First Participation

For the first time, Japan is taking part as an active participant, deploying around 1,400 personnel along with ships and aircraft.

Japan has sent one of its largest warships, the helicopter carrier JS Ise, as well as other naval and military assets, including the landing ship JS Shimokita, JS Ikazuchi destroyer, transport aircraft C-130H Hercules, and Type 88 anti-ship missile systems.

Japanese forces are also expected to test-fire their Type-88 anti-ship missiles during the exercises.

The drills will also feature the Philippine military’s BrahMos cruise missile system, which will be used in simulated maritime strike scenarios. The Philippines purchased the Indian-made system in 2022, with initial deliveries completed in 2024.

Japan's army test-fires a Type 88 surface-to-ship short-range missile — ^{Japan’s army test-fires a Type 88 surface-to-ship short-range missile at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido in its first missile test on Japanese territory on June 24, 2025. (Image Credit: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)}

Focus on Strategic Locations

Some of the exercises will take place in areas with high strategic importance. Maritime strike drills are planned on Itbayat Island, the northernmost point of the Philippines, located about 155 kilometers from Taiwan.

Other live-fire exercises, including counter-landing operations, will be conducted in Zambales province along the South China Sea, roughly 230 kilometers from the contested Scarborough Shoal.

These locations highlight the broader security concerns in the region, especially as tensions continue over territorial disputes and Taiwan’s status.

The exercises will include precision strike training, integrated air and missile defense, and multinational maritime operations, reflecting a shift toward more complex and coordinated military planning among allies.

China’s Reaction

China responded critically to the drills, warning that increased military cooperation involving external powers could harm regional stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that “what the Asia-Pacific needs most is peace and tranquility, and the last thing the region needs is division and confrontation as a result of the introduction of external forces.”

U.S. Marines fire Javelin anti-tank missiles as part of a counter landing live-fire exercise during Balikatan 24 — ^{U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles as part of a counter landing live-fire exercise during Balikatan 24 at La Paz Sand Dunes, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, on May 6, 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Eric Huynh)}

He added, “No military and security cooperation should be conducted at the expense of mutual understanding and trust as well as peace and stability in the region.”

Beijing has long opposed increased U.S. military presence in the region and views such exercises as part of a broader strategy to contain China.

Protests in the Philippines

The drills have also triggered domestic criticism within the Philippines. On Monday, protesters gathered outside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Quezon City, calling for an end to the exercises and the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Demonstrators held signs reading “Stop Balikatan,” “Pull out U.S. troops and missiles,” and “U.S. imperialist No.1 Terrorist.”

Gabriel Magtibay, national chairperson of the League of Filipino Students, warned against closer alignment with Washington.

“Blindly obeying the United States is pushing us into the risk of war,” he said, adding that the Philippines should not be used to serve U.S. military objectives.

^{U.S. I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) Commanding General and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Christian Wortman speaks during the opening ceremony of the U.S.-Philippines “Balikatan” joint military exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on April 20, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters/Noel Celis)}

The protests come amid broader economic concerns in the country, including high fuel prices and difficult living conditions. The Philippine government declared a state of national energy emergency in late March, adding to public frustration.

Long-standing Alliance Under Pressure

The Philippines remains the United States’ oldest military ally in the Asia-Pacific region. Under a long-standing defense treaty, U.S. forces have access to multiple military bases in the country, with cooperation expanding in recent years.

The scale of this year’s exercises reflects a growing network of security partnerships involving the Philippines and other U.S. allies. It also signals a shift toward more coordinated regional defense efforts.

At the same time, the drills highlight the challenges facing the region, where strategic competition, domestic pressures, and economic concerns are increasingly overlapping.

While the exercises aim to strengthen military readiness and alliance coordination, they also underline the risk of further tensions, particularly as major powers continue to compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific.