Balikatan 2024 Concludes: 17,000 Troops From 7 Nations Drill Near Taiwan
"We remain guided by a shared commitment to uphold international law, to respect sovereignty and to contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific."
— Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner
The 41st annual Balikatan military exercises between the United States and the Philippines concluded on May 10, 2024, after nearly three weeks of operations primarily conducted on the island of Luzon. The drills involved over 17,000 personnel from seven nations and took place in proximity to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, areas of ongoing geopolitical tension.
Participating Forces and Scope
The exercises, named "Balikatan" (Tagalog for "shoulder to shoulder"), included troops from the United States, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
Key troop deployments:
- United States: ~10,000 personnel
- Japan: 1,400 troops (first combat troop participation since WWII)
- Australia: 400 personnel
- Canada, France, and New Zealand: Smaller contingents (first participation in exercise history)
Japan's participation marked the first time its combat troops have joined the drills since World War II. Canada, France, and New Zealand participated for the first time in the exercises' history.
Military Activities and Equipment
The drills included live-fire exercises, coastal defense operations, and training to repel an amphibious assault. Key equipment deployments featured:
- US Army Typhon missile system — remained in the Philippines following a previous 2024 deployment
- Japan's Type 88 cruise missile — fired at a decommissioned Philippine corvette
- US Tomahawk cruise missile — launched from a civilian airport, landing on a military reservation
Coastal defense drills were conducted fewer than 200 kilometers from Taiwan's southern coast. US forces tested new weapons and strategies during the exercises.
Australian Infrastructure Investment
Australia committed to funding infrastructure projects at five military bases in the Philippines, all located on Luzon island.
"Construction, use, upgrade, and maintenance"
— Australia's pledge for eight defense infrastructure sites
In August, Defence Minister Richard Marles pledged Australia to the "construction, use, upgrade, and maintenance" of eight defense infrastructure sites across these locations. These projects are scheduled to commence in 2026 and will focus on logistics, training, and fire safety, with costs currently being finalized.
Australia and the Philippines are expected to sign a new pact to increase defense collaboration. Analysts noted these agreements reflect the Philippines' growing importance as a regional ally for multiple nations.
Regional Responses
China conducted its own live-fire military drills east of Luzon during the Balikatan exercises.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the Asia-Pacific region "most needs is peace and tranquillity" and cautioned that countries "blindly binding themselves together in the name of security" risked 'backfiring upon themselves.'
Official Statements
- US Marine Lieutenant General Christian Wortman: "The United States' focus on the Indo-Pacific and commitment to the Philippines remains unwavering."
- Gen. Ronald Clark, commander of US Army Pacific: Described the drills as defensive in nature, aimed to "see, sense, strike and protect."
- Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez of the Philippine Armed Forces: Said the exercises allow the Philippine military to transition from internal security to border protection.
Strategic Context
The Balikatan exercises are annual joint drills between the United States and the Philippines. Philippine and Chinese forces have engaged in repeated confrontations in the South China Sea. The Philippines has accused China of dumping cyanide in waters near a ship where Philippine marines are stationed, an allegation China has denied.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has stated it would use force if necessary to achieve reunification. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned in late 2023 that given the Philippines' proximity to Taiwan, a conflict over the island would involve the Philippines.
Analysts indicated that allied countries in the Indo-Pacific are strengthening defense partnerships amid concerns about the reliability of US security guarantees. The Philippine military stated the exercises do not target any country and are intended to prepare allied forces to respond to natural disasters and regional contingencies.