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America’s Pacific allies train to face down China together
U.S. and Philippine Marines, with Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, Canadian, and French participation, conducted a counterlanding drill on Palawan as part of the Balikatan exercise. The event showcased multi-national interoperability and deterrence planning in the Indo-Pacific, with missiles, drones, and air support tested against a simulated threat. The exercise emphasizes closer alliance coordination in response to China’s rising military and territorial ambitions.
Why It Matters
The drill demonstrates increasing multilateral defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and tests readiness for potential future conflicts involving China. It signals a strengthened regional security posture through joint training and shared capabilities.
Timeline
2 Events
May 4, 2026 – Balikatan exercise: US-Philippines with allies practice counterlanding
May 4, 2026
On Palawan, Philippines, U.S. and Philippine Marines shared foxholes and faced an imagined South China Sea landing, while Australian and New Zealand troops dug in nearby. U.S. forces fired missiles from the truck-based High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars), Philippine aircraft flew overhead, and troops engaged with their weapons on the beach. U.S. officials described the display as a highly impressive firepower demonstration during the Balikatan exercise, which includes about 17,000 personnel from seven nations. The United States deployed about 10,000 service members; Japan joined on the ground for the first time, with Canada and New Zealand as new active participants and France contributing a small contingent.
April 2026 – Defense Secretary Hegseth testimony praises Japan and Australia
April 2026
In written testimony to Congress last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Japan and Australia for understanding the need to increase defense spending and cited South Korea as a “model ally” for meeting a new global standard, reflecting a broader U.S. push for greater allied defense collaboration in the Asia-Pacific.