Balikatan 2026

Balikatan 2026 is a joint military exercise involving the United States and the Philippines, with Japan participating in an operational role for the first time. This year's drills have become newsworthy due to heightened regional tensions, particularly with China. During the exercise, Japanese forces conducted a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile test in the Philippines, which China has condemned as a sign of "neo-militarism" and an intensified arms race that threatens regional stability. Concurrently, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has showcased its YJ-20 hypersonic missiles, with videos of naval strike tests emerging as the Balikatan drills intensify activities in the South China Sea. The event highlights the growing military cooperation among the US, Philippines, and Japan, while also drawing sharp criticism and demonstrating China's own military advancements in response to perceived regional shifts.