US-Philippines Balikatan military drills to be largest yet

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Apr 2024 20:19

The maneuvers will involve over 16,000 military personnel from both the Philippines and the US, with participation from additional nations such as France and Australia.

A U.S. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires a missile during a Combined Joint Littoral Live Fire Exercise at the joint military exercise called "Balikatan," Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder in a Naval station in Zambales province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)

The upcoming Balikatan military exercise between the US and the Philippines, scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 10, is set to be the most extensive yet, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday.

"Each year, we work closely with AFP [armed forces of the Philippines] senior leaders to make Balikatan more challenging. This year, we've increased the scope, scale, and complexity across all domains ... It's our most expansive Balikatan yet," Lt. Gen. William Jurney, who is responsible for designing, planning and conducting the maneuvers, said in the statement.

The maneuvers will involve over 16,000 military personnel from both the Philippines and the US, with participation from additional nations such as France and Australia. Observers from another fourteen countries, including Germany, India, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Korea, will be present during the exercises.

Shoulder to shoulder in service: @TeamAFP and U.S. military personnel joined forces with local government units for medical outreach and community engagement activities ahead of #Balikatan 2024. #FriendsPartnersAllies

Read more about #Balikatan here: https://t.co/lXno8w7TfF pic.twitter.com/5EJM6j7510
— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) April 17, 2024

The activities planned for Balikatan 2024 encompass a wide range of missions across various domains, including maritime security, sensing and targeting, air and missile defense, dynamic missile strikes, cyber defense, and information operations. Additionally, a Multilateral Maritime Exercise will be conducted in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone involving the Philippine Navy, US Navy, and French Navy.

However, the joint naval drills have stirred concerns, particularly regarding their location. According to reports from The Washington Post, the drills will extend beyond the Philippines' territorial waters, potentially into areas claimed by China.

Among the operations planned for Balikatan, one will involve simulating the capture of two islands off the Philippines' western and northern coasts, followed by the transportation of the HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system for live-fire exercises.

Another operation will feature the debut of a South-Korean-manufactured ship-based missile system by Philippine warships, working in coordination with US Air Force squadrons to conduct a simulated ship-sinking exercise.

Medium-range missiles draw Russia's ire

Meanwhile, the deployment of US medium-range missiles in the Philippines has sparked international concern. Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, warned that such actions could lead to global instability, urging the United States to refrain from actions that could jeopardize international security.

"The deployment of medium-range missiles by the Pentagon [in the Philippines] will become a 'black day' for international security," Antonov told reporters.

The deployment of the Mid-Range Capability, also known as the Typhon Weapon System, capable of firing Standard Missile 6 (SM6) and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was announced by the US Army as part of the ongoing exercise Salaknib 24.

"We urge the United States not to open a Pandora's Box and to follow the example of our country by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability," Antonov added.

LOOK: Groups from different sectors held a protest to oppose the Trilateral Cooperation Summit between the #Philippines, #US, and #Japan. Groups also condemned the Balikatan Exercises between the PH and US military of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). pic.twitter.com/fRimVFNZVw
— ILPS Commission 10 (@ilpscomm10) April 11, 2024