19 nations observe Balikatan drills with PH, US troops

Nineteen countries have sent observers for this year's Balikatan exercises, which began on April 21 with over 14,000 Filipino and U.S. soldiers participating.

The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Poland are observing the drills for the first time, joining 15 other nations that include Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted that the drills will assess readiness across all domains including air, land, sea, cyber, information, cognitive, and space.

Balikatan 2025 involves full-scale joint training designed to test interoperability and operational readiness through complex joint endeavors such as missile defense, counter-landing live fires, maritime strike capabilities, humanitarian efforts, and infrastructure projects.

This year's Balikatan emphasizes the partnership between the Philippines and the US in safeguarding national interests and preserving peace while modernizing capabilities to defend the vast territories of the Philippines.