CAMP AGUINALDO, Quexon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces through the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) set to launch Exercise Balikatan 2025, the 40th iteration of the long-standing bilateral defense drill, from April 21 to May 9, 2025, across different locations in the country. This year’s exercise with expanded participation from regional partners, underscores a shared commitment to peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Balikatan 2025 underscores the ironclad alliance between the Philippines and the United States, reaffirming mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
This year’s Balikatan will feature full-scale joint training designed to test interoperability and enhance operational readiness in diverse scenarios. This includes Multilateral Maritime Event (MME), involving the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for the first time; Command and Control Exercise (C2X); Combined Joint All-Domain Operations (CJADO), including Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Maritime Strike (MARSTRIKE), and Counter Landing Live Fire Exercises (CLLF).
Nineteen countries have been invited to observe Balikatan 2025, including Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, who have confirmed participation. The International Observer Program enhances transparency and cooperation with allies and partners, strengthening regional solidarity.
The joint training also supports the AFP’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), helping modernize capabilities to meet emerging threats including cyber, maritime, and disaster response scenarios. Balikatan benefits host communities through infrastructure projects, healthcare services, and economic stimulation via local procurement and temporary employment.
Balikatan 2025 stands as a powerful demonstration of international cooperation, military interoperability, and a shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.///
