Japan to join PH, US forces in Salaknib drills for first time in April

Troops from Japan will participate for the first time in the annual Salaknib military exercises alongside the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) this April.

“Salaknib is basically a United States–Philippines bilateral exercise. For the coming Salaknib, that’s correct—300 troops from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will take part in these various trainings,” Philippine Army chief Antonio Nafarrete said at a press conference.

“They will join us. The focus will be on infantry combined-arms operations, and there will also be humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities,” he added.

The Philippine Army and USARPAC are set to hold the 2026 iteration of the exercise in April.

The annual training aims to enhance defense readiness by improving tactical interoperability while strengthening bilateral ties. The participating forces continue to sustain joint training designed to boost resilience, deepen institutional partnerships, and serve as a force multiplier in addressing both conventional and nonconventional security threats.

According to the Philippine Army, the decades-long alliance between Filipino and American forces is anchored on building trust, enhancing capabilities, and ensuring both sides remain united in their shared commitment to collective defense.—MCG, GMA Integrated News