U.S., allies to hold Philippines drills with 17,000

April 14, 2026

Summary

More than 17,000 troops from the U.S. and six allies will join Balikatan drills in the Philippines from April 20 to May 8.

Why this matters

The exercise highlights the scale of U.S.-allied military coordination in the Philippines during regional security tensions. It also shows how Manila and its partners are expanding joint training across land, sea, air, space, and cyber operations.

More than 17,000 troops from the United States and six allied nations will train across the Philippines from April 20 to May 8 during the annual Balikatan exercise, U.S. and Philippine officials said.

The drills will include about 10,000 U.S. service members alongside forces from the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand, according to a Tuesday email from U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Ben Gillman, an exercise spokesman.

Balikatan, a Tagalog term meaning “shoulder to shoulder,” comes amid tensions involving China over Taiwan and the South China Sea, and a U.S. naval blockade of Iran.

Training will take place across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains, organizers said in a statement Monday. U.S. and Philippine forces will form joint task forces to strengthen command and control.

Warships from the United States, the Philippines, Canada, and Japan will take part in maritime drills along the Philippines’ western coast, including deck landings, gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue training. Troops also will participate in engineering projects and community health engagements.

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