By Shirin Bhandari | 2026-04-28

The Philippines and the United States expanded their annual Salaknib land forces exercise this month, bringing in Japan and Australia as participants in the largest iteration of the drills since they began in 2015.

The first phase of the exercise ran from April 6 to 17 in Luzon, northern Philippines, bringing together more than 7,000 troops, according to the Philippine News Agency, with Japan and Australia joining for the first time as both participants and observers. The second phase of Salaknib starts in May.

Japan deployed about 420 Ground Self-Defense Force personnel, who trained in command-and-control coordination, live-fire drills and jungle operations alongside allied forces.

Japan's involvement marked a shift from previous years, when it confined itself to being an observer or support partner. This year, its troops were full participants in ground operations, according to NHK.

The change follows a reciprocal access agreement between Tokyo and Manila that took effect in 2025. It allows Japanese forces to operate on Philippine soil for expanded training that goes beyond humanitarian missions.

First combat role

Philippine military Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted the significance of Japan's participation, according to Bloomberg.

"After 1945, for the very first time, we will have Japanese combat troops on Philippine soil," he said at a forum in March. "That is very significant because back then we found ourselves on the opposite sides of the war, but this time, we find ourselves on the same side."

Japan's defense attaché to the Philippines, Lt. Col. Yamashita Hideki, framed the deployment as part of a broader response to regional security pressures, according to NHK.

"The security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe. In this context, we are undertaking various initiatives to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world," he said.

Combined operations

Training focused on interoperability and combined arms operations across multiple domains.

Philippine army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren Morados said the exercise was "guided by a clear and strategic purpose to strengthen combined arms operations, deepen multi-domain interoperability, and reinforce a credible and resilient regional security architecture."

Troops conducted jungle warfare training, aviation integration and live-fire exercises. The US Army deployed the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during drills, marking a key milestone in forward deployment and joint fires integration in a partner nation's training environment.

US Army Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees said the exercise strengthened allied readiness.

"Salaknib builds credible combat land forces alongside our oldest treaty ally in the region," he said. "This realistic training sharpens our collective skills and ensures we are prepared to uphold our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The participating Philippine army and the US Army Pacific conducted M142 HIMARS live-fire exercises.

Philippine army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told the Philippine News Agency that US support provides troops with "crucial capabilities on long-range precision fires" as the army shifts toward territorial defense. The exercises are vital for bolstering interoperability and mission readiness, he said.

Expanding partnerships

Salaknib has taken place annually since 2015 under the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. The expansion to include Japan and Australia reflects a broader shift toward more-integrated security cooperation among US allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Both the Philippines and Japan face maritime disputes with China, in the South China Sea and East China Sea, respectively. Analysts and officials say these shared concerns have driven closer defense coordination.

The first phase of Salaknib serves as a buildup to the larger Balikatan exercises, which began April 20.

The expanded format allows participating forces to test coordination and operational integration before moving into broader, joint and combined drills later in the year, say officials.