The Philippines holds Army drills with allies
About 8,000 ground troops from the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, will begin training together next week to repulse an invasion in the country.
Philippine soldiers from the Scout Ranger Regiment aboard a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk during Salaknib 2025 last May 23, 2025 at Fort Magsaysay. Photo from Philippine Army.
Joe M. Reyes | April 2, 2026
Manila — About 8,000 ground troops from the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, will begin training together next week to repulse an invasion in the country.
In a two-week exercise, called Salaknib, the Indo-Pacific allies, including the Philippines, in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and other training areas in Central and Northern Luzon, said Army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema-ala on Tuesday.
In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Dema-ala said 4,500 troops from the Philippine Army will join the exercise while US Army Pacific will be sending 3,000 men. (Also read: What’s the reason behind US expansion of military engagements in the Philippines?)
He said the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has earmarked 800 men for Salaknib while Australia and New Zealand has dedicated 100 and 46 personnel, respectively.
“For Japan and New Zealand, this will be their first time to participate in the Salaknib exercises,” Dema-ala said.
Dema-ala said the second phase of Salaknib exercise will be held in May, following the larger-scale Balikatan exercise which is expected to be launched on the third week of April.
Dema-ala said Salaknib exercise aims to enhance the Army’s “capability and defensive posture against territorial threats which are all anchored in interoperability.”
“The focus of the exercise Salaknib would be maritime and territorial defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, amphibious and combined arms operations,” he said
“All involved international armies will be included in the activities,” added Dema-ala.
One of the highlights of the Salaknib exercise is a live fire exercise “but we don’t know yet what capabilities will be involved.”
“It will depend on the scenario that will be finalized during the conduct of the exercise,” said Dema-ala.
Dema-ala said the conduct of the exercise aims to send a message to the Filipino people that the Philippine Army is “ready and capable.”
“Training enhances our value through the use of modern equipment and knowledge sharing with international partners,” said Dema-ala.