US-Philippines "Balikatan" exercises demonstrate drone countermeasure capabilities
Philippine and US forces demonstrated drone countermeasure capabilities during the annual "Balikatan" joint military exercises. The drill, which included the use of MADIS and Stinger missiles to down drones, highlights the growing focus on countering low-cost UAV threats in modern warfare, with Japan participating for the first time.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 21:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 21:32 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 23:19 (1h 47m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA)
(St. Antonio Town, April 28, CNA reporter Lin Hsing-chien) As drones transform the landscape of modern warfare, Philippine and US forces today demonstrated drone countermeasure capabilities in the air defense and missile defense segment of the annual "Balikatan" joint military exercise.
This "Integrated Air and Missile Defense" (IAMD) drill was held at a naval base in Zambales province, facing the South China Sea.
The US military deployed its Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), using .30 and .50 caliber machine guns to shoot down multiple training drones, and at the end of the exercise, launched a Stinger air defense missile to down a high-speed fixed-wing drone.
This marks the second consecutive year that MADIS has appeared in the "Balikatan" exercise.
US Marine Corps Lieutenant Duncan Stoner stated that the exercise units have recognized the significant threat posed by low-cost drones on the battlefield, and thus the deployment of relevant systems including MADIS, as well as the formation of coastal air defense battalions, are direct responses to this challenge.
Stoner explained that "Balikatan" covers multiple subjects; air defense forces intercepting aerial targets is just one part. Others include ground forces executing their respective missions, and maritime denial operations conducted by the "Naval/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System" (NMESIS).
"Balikatan" commenced on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines and the US, countries such as Japan, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand are participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and the northern Philippines, which is close to Taiwan.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces participated directly for the first time this year, becoming a major highlight. The Philippine and Japanese parliaments had successively approved the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" (RAA) last year, allowing troops from both countries to enter each other's territory to participate in joint military exercises and defense cooperation activities.
Media were allowed to visit the Japan Self-Defense Forces camp today and observe the base air defense surface-to-air guided missile system brought by the Japanese forces.
This system consists of a command and control system, a fire control system, and missile launchers, used to protect important facilities from aerial threats.
In the coming week, participating nations will also conduct live-fire anti-landing and maritime strike training exercises in northern Luzon. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150428
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(St. Antonio Town, April 28, CNA reporter Lin Hsing-chien) As drones transform the landscape of modern warfare, Philippine and US forces today demonstrated drone countermeasure capabilities in the air defense and missile defense segment of the annual "Balikatan" joint military exercise.
This "Integrated Air and Missile Defense" (IAMD) drill was held at a naval base in Zambales province, facing the South China Sea.
The US military deployed its Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), using .30 and .50 caliber machine guns to shoot down multiple training drones, and at the end of the exercise, launched a Stinger air defense missile to down a high-speed fixed-wing drone.
This marks the second consecutive year that MADIS has appeared in the "Balikatan" exercise.
US Marine Corps Lieutenant Duncan Stoner stated that the exercise units have recognized the significant threat posed by low-cost drones on the battlefield, and thus the deployment of relevant systems including MADIS, as well as the formation of coastal air defense battalions, are direct responses to this challenge.
Stoner explained that "Balikatan" covers multiple subjects; air defense forces intercepting aerial targets is just one part. Others include ground forces executing their respective missions, and maritime denial operations conducted by the "Naval/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System" (NMESIS).
"Balikatan" commenced on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines and the US, countries such as Japan, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand are participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and the northern Philippines, which is close to Taiwan.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces participated directly for the first time this year, becoming a major highlight. The Philippine and Japanese parliaments had successively approved the "Reciprocal Access Agreement" (RAA) last year, allowing troops from both countries to enter each other's territory to participate in joint military exercises and defense cooperation activities.
Media were allowed to visit the Japan Self-Defense Forces camp today and observe the base air defense surface-to-air guided missile system brought by the Japanese forces.
This system consists of a command and control system, a fire control system, and missile launchers, used to protect important facilities from aerial threats.
In the coming week, participating nations will also conduct live-fire anti-landing and maritime strike training exercises in northern Luzon. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150428
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" app to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and audio on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.