US-Philippines launch largest-ever Balikatan drills

The United States and the Philippines have commenced their largest-ever 'Balikatan' military exercises, involving over 17,000 troops to test defense readiness under real-world conditions. Running from April 20 to May 8, 2026, the drills are strategically positioned in Zambales and remote islands near Taiwan and the disputed Scarborough Shoal. This year's edition marks a significant shift toward multilateral cooperation, with France, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand joining as active participants for the first time alongside Australia. The maneuvers serve as a critical display of regional security partnerships and a deterrent signal amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.