Portrait of Indonesia's Neighbour Training with the US and Allies Near China's Claimed Territory

US and Philippine forces are participating in the annual joint military exercise at Long Point Beach, Brgy. Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines, on Monday (27/4/2026). In the exercise facing directly onto the South China Sea, troops are simulating island defence against a mock invasion, firing various weapons, including missiles from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), at targets near the coastline. The annual joint exercise “Balikatan,” or “Shoulder to Shoulder,” running from 20 April to 8 May, is the largest to date in terms of participating countries. Australia is returning as a participant, while Canada, France, New Zealand, and Japan are joining as active participants for the first time, highlighting the expansion of Manila’s security partnership network. More than 17,000 troops are involved, including around 10,000 from the US, America’s treaty defence ally, even as Washington remains heavily engaged in the Middle East. China has repeatedly criticised the Philippines for conducting defence exercises with its allies, stating that such drills risk increasing regional tensions.