19 countries to observe Balikatan 2025 exercises

Nineteen countries are sending observers to the Balikatan 2025 exercises, which involve over 14,000 Filipino and US soldiers.

For the first time, four European nations—the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Poland—are among the observers.

Other participating observer nations include Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Japan and Australia are actively joining some of the Balikatan activities with their troops.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo stated that the involvement of other countries aligns with broader regional aspirations and priorities.

The Balikatan's international observers program aims to showcase joint events, support strategic bilateral messaging, promote diverse defense engagements, and expand the exercise into multilateral engagements.