Philippine-US annual military drills will be biggest ever

World
14-03-2023 | 08:27
High views
Share
LBCI
Share
LBCI
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
Philippine-US annual military drills will be biggest ever
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
2min
Philippine-US annual military drills will be biggest ever

The Philippines and the United States will carry out their biggest ever joint military drills next month, a spokesperson for the annual war games said on Tuesday, highlighting improved ties with the Western power under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This year's "Balikatan" or 'shoulder-to-shoulder' drills also come against the backdrop of what the Philippines calls "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea.
 
The drills, held from April 11 to 28, will see 17,600 participants from both sides, including around 12,000 from the United States, and "live fire exercises into the water" for the first time, according to Col. Michael Logico, director of the Philippine military's training center and spokesperson for the event.

"This is officially the largest Balikatan exercise," Logico said.

Previously, the biggest joint drills were undertaken in 2015, with more 11,000 troops participating.
 
The larger-scale drills follow Marcos' decision last month to expand the United States' access to his country's military bases, which China says undermines regional stability.

Regarding the possibility of the joint exercises further infuriating China, Logico said, "We have the absolute, inalienable right to defend our territory. We are here to show that we are combat ready."

The Balikatan exercises are to be carried out across several provinces, including Palawan, which is near the South China Sea. They will also see some 111 participants from the Australian defense force, though their participation will be limited to "smaller land-based exercises", Logico said.
 

Philippines

US

Annual

Military

Drills

Biggest

Ever

Chinese

Actions

South

Sea

Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
LBCI
Israel-Gaza War Updates
2025-11-01

Israeli army says Gaza bodies received Friday not hostages

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-09-23

President Aoun holds high-level meetings in New York on sidelines of UN General Assembly

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-11-22

Lebanese Army Chief: Army’s plan south of Litani River is progressing according to its set timeline

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-01-10

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Videos
d-none hideMe
LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-01-10

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

LBCI
Middle East News
2025-11-27

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

LBCI
Middle East News
2025-11-27

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
LBCI
World News
12:13

US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Lebanon

LBCI
World News
10:09

US to suspend visa processing for 75 nations next week, Fox News reports

LBCI
Middle East News
04:56

Diplomats tell Reuters: Personnel advised to leave US base in Al Udeid, Qatar

LBCI
Lebanon News
10:28

Lebanon, Jordan reaffirm ties, sign 21 cooperation agreements

LBCI
Lebanon News
07:45

Preparations underway for Paris conference to support Lebanese Army and security forces: Sources to LBCI

LBCI
Lebanon News
03:59

Presidency: Paris to host conference supporting the Lebanese Army and internal security forces on march 5

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
13:00

Israel heightens alert as US weighs options for potential Iran strike

LBCI
Lebanon News
03:45

Sources to LBCI: Quintet envoys to meet President Aoun

Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
Download now the LBCI mobile app
We use
cookies
We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More