Balikatan Exercise Held in Northern Luzon; Japan Self-Defense Forces Join Anti-Landing Defense
Japan''s Self-Defense Forces joined live-fire anti-landing drills in Northern Luzon for the first time during the Balikatan exercise. Forces from the US, Philippines, Japan, and Canada collaborated to simulate coastal defense and enhance interoperability in complex combat scenarios.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 19:54
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LAOAG CITY (CNA) – The annual large-scale joint military exercise "Balikatan" between the Philippines and the United States held a live-fire anti-landing exercise on the beaches of northern Luzon today. The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) participated directly for the first time, conducting coastal defense drills alongside allies.
The exercise simulated hostile forces attempting to land on the coast of Laoag City. Participating nations included the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Canada.
After air defense units detected simulated enemy movements at sea, real-time intelligence was relayed to the Joint Operations Center. The four nations then executed layered defense, combining reconnaissance, air strikes, long-range precision fires, and ground troop movements to validate interoperability and command integration in complex scenarios.
During the process, Philippine and allied fighter jets scrambled to weaken "enemy" vessels approaching the coast. This was followed by long-range precision strikes from the U.S. Army''s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and finally, ground forces conducted elimination on the beach with dense fire.
Lieutenant General Aristotle Gonzalez, commander of the Philippine Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), emphasized that this was a routine training item not directed at any specific country, aimed at enhancing interoperability among like-minded nations.
Major General James Bartholomees, commander of the U.S. Army''s 25th Infantry Division and ground commander for the anti-landing exercise, noted that Balikatan''s training content is becoming increasingly complex, including continuous improvements in maritime and aerial unmanned vehicle capabilities. He further stressed that today''s focus was not just on shooting accuracy but on how the various units operated with high levels of coordination to complete the military operation.
Japan, which previously participated in Balikatan as an observer, deployed JSDF personnel directly into the exercise for the first time this year, including live-fire segments. They brought equipment such as the "Base Air Defense Surface-to-Air Missile System," demonstrating high interoperability with Philippine and U.S. forces.
Colonel Takumi Tomino, commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force''s 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, expressed confidence that this first direct participation would further strengthen Japan''s ties with the Philippines, the United States, and other like-minded nations.
Balikatan began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Canada, participants include Australia, France, and New Zealand, mobilizing over 17,000 troops. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and northern Philippines near Taiwan.
The exercise simulated hostile forces attempting to land on the coast of Laoag City. Participating nations included the United States, Japan, the Philippines, and Canada.
After air defense units detected simulated enemy movements at sea, real-time intelligence was relayed to the Joint Operations Center. The four nations then executed layered defense, combining reconnaissance, air strikes, long-range precision fires, and ground troop movements to validate interoperability and command integration in complex scenarios.
During the process, Philippine and allied fighter jets scrambled to weaken "enemy" vessels approaching the coast. This was followed by long-range precision strikes from the U.S. Army''s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and finally, ground forces conducted elimination on the beach with dense fire.
Lieutenant General Aristotle Gonzalez, commander of the Philippine Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), emphasized that this was a routine training item not directed at any specific country, aimed at enhancing interoperability among like-minded nations.
Major General James Bartholomees, commander of the U.S. Army''s 25th Infantry Division and ground commander for the anti-landing exercise, noted that Balikatan''s training content is becoming increasingly complex, including continuous improvements in maritime and aerial unmanned vehicle capabilities. He further stressed that today''s focus was not just on shooting accuracy but on how the various units operated with high levels of coordination to complete the military operation.
Japan, which previously participated in Balikatan as an observer, deployed JSDF personnel directly into the exercise for the first time this year, including live-fire segments. They brought equipment such as the "Base Air Defense Surface-to-Air Missile System," demonstrating high interoperability with Philippine and U.S. forces.
Colonel Takumi Tomino, commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force''s 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, expressed confidence that this first direct participation would further strengthen Japan''s ties with the Philippines, the United States, and other like-minded nations.
Balikatan began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Canada, participants include Australia, France, and New Zealand, mobilizing over 17,000 troops. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and northern Philippines near Taiwan.