THE “Salaknib” exercise between American and Philippine troops is due to be expanded next year with the participation of ground forces from Japan and Australia, the Army said yesterday.
Details on the actual number of Japanese and Australian troops and hardware that will take part in the exercise are still being discussed, said Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala.
The Philippines has a Visiting Forces Agreement with the US and a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia. A Reciprocal Access Agreement, signed by Philippines and Japan in July last year, is due to enter into force on September 11.
Dema-ala said representatives from the Philippine Army, US Army Pacific, Australian Army, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force held an initial planning conference last week.
“From being observers in the 2025 iteration of Exercise Salaknib, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army will actively take part in the 2026 iteration of Salaknib,” Dema-ala told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“This reflects a broader multi-lateral defense partnership in pursuit for the shared goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
The Salaknib exercise is held twice a year. This year’s exercise was held in March and May, mainly in training areas in Luzon.
Dema-ala said next year’s Salaknib will enhance the interoperability of the participating countries “while simultaneously reinforcing the Philippine Army’s capacity to defend the country against external threats.”
He also Dema-ala said there will be a change in the objectives of the exercise but did not elaborate.
“We need to level up. With the challenges that have to be addressed by the Philippine Army, we need to involve Japan and Australia in the exercise,” he said.
Philippine, Australian and Canadian forces are scheduled to hold a maritime strike in San Vicente, Palawan on Tuesday next week.
The maritime strike, which will involve warships from the three countries, will be conducted under the ongoing “Alon” exercise, according to Col. Dennis Hernandez, the exercise’s executive agent.
“This is the first time that we’ll be conducting maritime strike in Alon exercise,” he said.
“We’ll be targeting what we call ‘Target Potato.’ There will be live, virtual and constructive simulation. Of course, there will be also close air support from the Philippine Air Force,” he added.
Asked what message the maritime strike will send to China, Hernandez said the drill is not directed at any country.
“We just want to enhance our joint operation, interoperability, interoperability and peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Warships from Philippines (BRP Jose Rizal) and Australia (HMAS Brisbane) have held a series of maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea under the Alon exercise.
The three-day activity, which ended yesterday, featured an anti-submarine exercise, night steaming in company, and flight quarters drill, among others.
“These activities were designed to enhance interoperability, improve operational readiness, and strengthen maritime security cooperation between the AFP and ADF (Australian Defense Force),” a military statement said.
It said the activities “highlight the enduring defense partnership and shared commitment
The US and the Philippines have approved over 500 military engagements for next year, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).
In a statement, it said the activities were approved by Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner and INDOPACOM commander Adm. Samuel Paparo during a meeting of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board in Hawaii on August 7.
These activities included the “Balikatan,” an annual huge-scale exercise meant to hone the skills of both nations in responding to territorial defense threats.
“The co-chairs approved more than 500 joint engagements, ranging from large-scale exercises to smaller subject matter expert exchanges,” the statement read, referring to Paparo and Brawner.
It said the partnership of the militaries “continues to grow” while the sides are addressing “national defense capabilities and demonstrating a joint initiative for regional security and disaster response.”
“Bilateral and multilateral maritime cooperative activities proved a key success this year. These events are essential in ensuring freedom of navigation and improving interoperability,” it added.
