Philippine troops briefed on US Avenger Air Defense System

Filipino troops received briefings from their U.S. counterparts on the Avenger Air Defense System, a highly mobile short-range air defense platform, at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio, Zambales on Tuesday, April 22.

The session focused on familiarizing Philippine forces with the system's capabilities, including its primary armament, the FIM-92 Stinger missile, which is mounted on a Humvee and designed to engage low-flying aircraft and helicopters.

According to Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, chief of the Combined Joint Information Bureau for Balikatan, this exchange strengthens tactical synchronization, enhances combined operational readiness, and demonstrates the enduring interoperability and mutual commitment of both forces to regional security and defense preparedness.

The Avenger Air Defense System integrates eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles, allowing for rapid engagement of aerial threats with high precision.

This year's Balikatan drills, which kicked off on Monday and run through May 9, mark the 40th iteration of these annual exercises aimed at strengthening regional security and defense preparedness.