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U.S., Philippine and allied forces begin annual Balikatan military exercises

Monday, April 20, 2026International AffairsWell-covered3 frames

The Facts

  • The annual Balikatan military exercises began on Monday in the Philippines.
  • More than 17,000 troops are participating in this year's Balikatan exercises.
  • The exercises are scheduled to run from April 20 to May 8, lasting 19 days or nearly three weeks.
  • This year's drills include live-fire exercises and maritime and air operations.
  • Some exercise locations are in northern parts of the Philippines near Taiwan, while others are in areas facing the South China Sea.
  • Japan is participating as an active or full participant for the first time in Balikatan.
  • Other partner countries involved in this year's exercises include Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand.
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Context

What is Balikatan?

Balikatan is the annual joint military exercise of the United States and the Philippines; the name means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog U.S. News & World R…,U.S. News & World R….

Why are the exercise locations drawing attention?

The drills include sites in northern Philippine areas near Taiwan and in areas facing the South China Sea, both of which are sensitive regional flashpoints U.S. News & World R…,N-tv,Owensboro Messenger….

Which countries besides the U.S. and the Philippines are taking part?

Sources say Japan, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand are participating in this year's exercises, with Japan joining as an active participant for the first time U.S. News & World R…,ZEIT ONLINE,U.S. News & World R….

View all 95 sources

Wire services (14)

ReutersYahooPhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
APMediapartLes Etats-Unis et les Philippines débutent leurs manoeuvres ...
APCadena 3 ArgentinaEEUU y Filipinas lanzan ejercicios militares a gran escala e...
APDaily Mail OnlineUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
APthepeterboroughexaminer.comUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
APOwensboro Messenger-InquirerUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
APThe TribuneUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
AP2 News NevadaUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
APRapplerRappler Recap: PH, US open 'biggest' Balikatan drills yet
AFPManila StandardBalikatan opens with air defense, anti-tank systems display ...
AFPAsharq Al-Awsat EnglishIran Executes Two Men Convicted of Links to Israel's Spy Age...
ReutersU.S. News & World ReportPhilippines, US and Allies Start Military Exercises Testing ...
AFPGlobalSecurity.orgFriendly nations can join 'Balikatan' drills - AFP
APU.S. News & World ReportUS and Allied Forces Kick off Combat Drills With Philippines...

Independent coverage (50)

The Jerusalem PostPhilippines, US launch drills near Taiwan, test readiness un...
onvista.deROUNDUP: Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Daily MaverickPhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
Hong Kong Free Press HKFPChina warns US, Japan, Philippines against 'playing with fir...
Modern DiplomacyPhilippines, US and Allies Launch Largest Ever Balikatan Dri...
DevdiscourseUPDATE 1-Philippines, US and allies start military exercises...
english.news.cnPhilippines, U.S. joint military drills kick off amid energy...
DevdiscourseCORRECTED-Philippines, US and allies start military exercise...
Gulf Daily News OnlinePhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
ThePrintPhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
defence24.comManeuvers near the South China Sea. Beijing responds
DevdiscoursePhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
Senego.com - Actualité au Sénégal, toute actualité du jourExercices Balikatan : le nombre de soldats dépêchés par les ...
Economic TimesUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
La RazónChina arremete contra las maniobras navales de EEUU en Filip...
The New Indian ExpressUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games as West Asia ...
marine-oceans.comLes Etats-Unis et les Philippines débutent leurs manoeuvres ...
경향신문Amid China-Japan tensions, the 'Balikatan exercise' begins i...
Daily Mail OnlineUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Owensboro Messenger-InquirerUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
RTL TodayUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Yahoo NewsUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Daily JournalUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
The Grand Junction Daily SentinelUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
TVA NouvellesLes États-Unis et les Philippines débutent leurs manœuvres a...
Kronen ZeitungDie Philippinen und USA starteten Militärmanöver
Spiegel OnlineUSA und Philippinen starten Militärübungen mit 17.000 Soldat...
Economic TimesUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
The HinduU.S., allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines ...
KTBSUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Rome SentinelUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
WFXG FOX54US begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Daily TribuneUS, Philippine and Japanese troops begin Balikatan war games
Arab NewsUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
DevdiscourseU.S. and Philippines Showcase Military Might in Major Combat...
Le Parisien" L'un des plus importants déploiements " de l'armée américa...
Le Figaro.frExercices militaires aux Philippines : 17.000 soldats mobili...
Radio BielefeldManila | Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Daily TribuneUS, Philippines launch largest-ever Balikatan drills
Washington TimesU.S. and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippin...
WBOC TV-16US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
EL IMPARCIAL | Noticias de México y el mundoEjercicios militares en Filipinas con Estados Unidos y Japón...
IT News zu den Themen Künstliche Intelligenz, Roboter und Maschinelles Lernen - IT BOLTWISE® x Artificial IntelligencePhilippinen und USA verstärken militärische Zusammenarbeit...
N-tvDer Tag: Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Weser KurierPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
GMA NetworkPH, US open Balikatan 2026 drills
Süddeutsche ZeitungPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
The Jakarta PostUS begins Philippines war games amidst Middle East conflict ...
Daily TribunePhilippines to feature BrahMos missile system in Balikatan w...
Freie PressePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
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