The Balikatan Exercise 2026 highlights the growing strategic convergence between the United States and the Philippines, with an active participation from Japan, strengthening trilateral defence cooperation.

The 41st iteration of Balikatan Exercise 2026 between the US and the Philippines was conducted from 20 April 20 to 8 May 2026, across the Philippine archipelago.[1] The scope of the Balikatan (‘shoulder-shoulder’) exercises has significantly transformed in recent years. The exercise has evolved into a multi-dimensional platform for interoperability, deterrence and regional security coordination in response to geopolitical competition and a complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific.

A key development in recent years has been Japan’s increasing participation in the exercise. In the 2026 exercise, Japan’s self-defence forces (SDFs) not only took part but played a direct operational role for the first time. Japan’s participation reflects the potential for a trilateral security partnership among the US, the Philippines and Japan.

Background and Strategic Context

The Balikatan is an annual joint military exercise between the US and the Philippines, which is conducted to enhance interoperability between the Armed Forces and improve combat readiness and disaster response capabilities. This year’s iteration involved over 17,000–18,000 troops from several countries, including Japan, Canada, Australia and the US.[2]

The Balikatan 2026 is a strategic demonstration of alliance cohesion and a regional commitment to a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ (FOIP). The origins of the exercise date back to the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty between the US and the Philippines in the aftermath of World War II.[3] For decades, this exercise has focused on counter-insurgency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, reflecting the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters.

However, amid a shifting strategic landscape, increasing tensions in the South China Sea (SCS), and China’s assertiveness, there has been a recalibration of alliance priorities. The legal victory of the Philippines in the 2016 arbitration case under the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated China’s claims, further underscored the vitality of aligning military capabilities with legal and diplomatic strategies.[4]

Over time, the Baliktan exercise expanded in scale and complexity, featuring large-scale live-fire exercises, amphibious assault operations, integration of the space and cybersecurity domains, and enhanced joint command-and-control mechanisms. The use of advanced technologies reflects a shift towards high-tech warfare preparedness.

The transformation of Balikatan is part of the broader strategic environment of the Indo-Pacific, as the region has become a central arena for geopolitical competition, maritime trade routes, and strategic rivalries. At the centre of these dynamics is the SCS, a critical maritime route through which a significant portion of global trade flows, and an area rich in natural resources. For the United States, maintaining freedom of navigation is a core priority, and for the Philippines, safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity is of utmost importance.

The Balikatan Exercise is intended to send a warning to China, which is rapidly expanding its maritime presence. China regularly threatens the Philippines in the SCS. Recently, China accused the Philippines of landing personnel on a disputed reef in the SCS, Sandy Cay. Manila countered that it dispatched its coast guard to Sandy Cay when media reports indicated Chinese personnel were arriving there.[5]

The operational areas for the Balikatan........

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