April 20, 2024 - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced that representatives from 14 countries will be joining as observers in the upcoming Balikatan 39-2024. This annual military exercise, which includes the United States Armed Forces, is scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 10.
Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino, is the largest annual bilateral training exercise between the Philippines and the United States. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and readiness between the two militaries. More than 16,000 members of the AFP and U.S. military will train together this year.
For the first time in Balikatan’s history, contingents from the Australian Defence Force and the French Navy will also join the exercise as participants. Meanwhile, 14 nations will participate as part of the AFP-hosted international observer program. These nations include Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Balikatan 39-2024 exercise will cover three main components: Command and Control Exercise (C2X), Field Training Exercise (FTX), and Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA). These activities will be held in different geographical areas under the Northern Luzon Command, Western Command, and Southern Luzon Command.
This year’s Balikatan exercise underscores the steadfast dedication to amplify interoperability and readiness by collaborating with friends, partners, and allies. As the world watches, the Balikatan 39-2024 exercise promises to be a significant event in the ongoing cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, as well as other participating nations.