More than 7,000 troops from the Philippine Army, United States Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Australian Army officially launched Exercise SALAKNIB 2026 Phase I at Fort Ramon Magsaysay, strengthening military cooperation, interoperability, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. (Jason de Asis)
PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — More than 7,000 troops from allied forces officially launched the first phase of Exercise SALAKNIB 2026 on April 6 at Fort Ramon Magsaysay, marking the largest iteration of the joint military training to date.
The exercise brings together soldiers from the Philippine Army, United States Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Australian Army, strengthening military cooperation among allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his keynote address, Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, Vice Commander of the Philippine Army, emphasized the importance of strengthening alliances and creating opportunities for soldiers from different nations to exchange best practices and operational knowledge.
Morados said the exercise is guided by a strategic objective to enhance combined arms operations, improve interoperability across multiple domains, and reinforce a credible and resilient regional security architecture.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division, underscored the significance of the exercise for the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
“The United States is proud to call the Philippines our oldest treaty ally in the Pacific, with a bond forged 73 years ago that has strengthened decades of shared sacrifice, trust, and friendship,” Bartholomees said. He added that the unity and cooperation demonstrated during the exercises send a strong message of collective capability and resolve among allied forces to ensure peace and stability in the region.
This year’s training marks the first time that the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army are participating and observing in SALAKNIB, further expanding the scope of the multinational exercise.
The Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific have been conducting SALAKNIB exercises together since 2015, anchored on the longstanding defense cooperation under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
SALAKNIB Phase I is scheduled from April 6 to April 17, and will be followed by the annual Exercise Balikatan from April to May 2026, and SALAKNIB Phase II from May to June.
The joint exercises will focus on key operational areas such as maritime and territorial defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), amphibious operations, and combined arms maneuvers.
According to the Philippine Army, the expansion of large-scale training activities reflects its continued efforts to enhance operational readiness and strengthen defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges in the region.
Military officials added that the integration of combined arms operations across commands aligns with the training guidance of Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, further strengthening the Army’s preparedness for both conventional and non-traditional threats. (Jason de Asis)