PH Army joined by US, Japan and Aussie troops in ‘largest’ Salaknib military exercise

More than 7,000 soldiers from the Philippine Army, the United States Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Australian Army will take part in the 2026 iteration of Exercise SALAKNIB Phase I at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija that started this week.

For the first time, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army will join SALAKNIB as participants and observers. 

Since 2015, the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) have been long-term partners of the annual training exercise and is anchored on the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.

SALAKNIB Phase 1 is scheduled from April 6 to April 17. It will be followed by Exercise Balikatan scheduled from April to May 2026 and Salaknib Phase 2 from May to June 2026.

In his keynote remarks, Philippine Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados underscored the value of forging alliances and the creation of opportunities to learn best practices from one soldier to another: “Salaknib is guided by a clear and strategic purpose to strengthen combined arms operations, deepen multi-domain interoperability, and reinforce a credible and resilient regional security architecture.”

On the US side, Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, Commanding General of the United States Army 25th (Tropic Lightning) Infantry Division highlighted the importance of the exercise from their perspective as a long-term ally of the Philippines. "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," he said. "While our shields are interwoven, potential adversaries clearly see the unity, the capability, and the resolve of our land forces. Together, we will ensure peace, deter aggression, and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The multilateral exercises will focus on maritime and territorial defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), along with amphibious and combined arms operations. —RF, GMA News