By Focus and AFP | 2025-04-23

MANILA -- In a powerful display of alliance, the Philippines and the United States are holding their largest-ever joint military exercises as they seek to deter Beijing's ambitions in the disputed South China Sea.

The exercise, Balikatan 2025, began on April 21 and will run until May 9.

The 40th iteration of the annual drills -- whose name means "shoulder to shoulder" in Tagalog -- involves as many as 17,000 personnel, with about 9,000 American and 5,000 Philippine troops participating, alongside significant allied contingents.

Organizers have dubbed this year's Balikatan a "full battle test," going beyond traditional training to simulate complex, realistic combat scenarios.

Troops operate across key locations in the Philippines, including areas near the contested South China Sea and the strategic Luzon Strait, which separates the archipelago from Taiwan.

Regional tensions

The significance of these drills is amplified by the backdrop of heightened regional tensions -- particularly stemming from China's assertive actions in the South China Sea and their broader implications for regional stability.

This tension flared just hours before the exercises began, when China claimed to have expelled the Philippine naval vessel BRP Apolinario Mabini from waters near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on April 20.

Philippine navy officials denied the claim, calling it "malign info operations" and reaffirming the Philippines' authority in its maritime zones.

Top military officials from the Philippines and the United States emphasized the defensive nature of the exercises while acknowledging the necessity of preparing for conflict, should deterrence fail.

At the opening ceremony in Manila, US Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn stressed the alliance's determination and readiness.

"We will demonstrate not just our will to uphold our mutual defense treaty in existence since 1951 but our matchless capability to do so," Glynn said.

While committed to peace, the allies "possess credible combat power" should deterrence fail, he said, according to the Philippine News Agency.

Balikatan is not aimed at any particular country, Philippine officials said.

The exercises are focused on enhancing the Philippines' ability to secure its own territory and deter external threats, Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo clarified.

When asked about the drills' relevance to Taiwan, he explained that while Balikatan could "help deter conflict," its primary focus remains on discouraging threats to the Philippines, according to Reuters.

This year's war games will not address a potential Chinese invasion, both the US and Philippine militaries stressed.

'Full battle test'

Balikatan 2025 stands out for its scale and complex scenarios, supporting the Philippines' evolving Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

The drills span multiple domains -- including air, land, sea, cyber and space. They blend tactical actions with strategic foresight.

Key activities feature integrated air and missile defense simulations, island defense and counter-assault scenarios and joint naval operations, all designed to enhance interoperability and readiness in a dynamic regional security environment.

One of the most anticipated events is the Maritime Strike scheduled for May 5, where combined forces will target the decommissioned BRP Miguel Malvar.

Philippine FA-50PH jets, US fighters and Philippine navy ships armed with C-Star missiles will be involved in the exercise, which aims to replicate the success of a similar operation from Balikatan 2024.

The "full battle test" features the deployment of advanced American weaponry, including the US Navy's Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System anti-ship missile, the US Army's Typhon mid-range missile system, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) artillery and the Marine Air Defense Integrated System.

The drills also provide a crucial platform for the Philippine military to test and integrate its own modernized missile capabilities.

For the first time, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are participating fully in Balikatan, joining forces with the United States and Australia in multilateral maritime exercises.

An additional 16 countries have sent observers, signaling a wide regional and international commitment to Indo-Pacific security.

This expanded participation reinforces the message of collective security and shared commitment to international law in a strategically vital region.

Even though Philippine officials emphasize the drills' defensive nature, China has expressed strong opposition, arguing that such exercises undermine regional stability and heighten tensions over Taiwan.