Defence joins partners for Exercise Balikatan

Around 260 members of the ADF are taking part in the 40th iteration of the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces. 

Held annually, Exercise Balikatan is designed to enhance military interoperability and readiness in support of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines.

Australia’s participation provides a key training opportunity for deployed personnel, improving interoperability with partner nations and strengthening defence cooperation by building people-to-people links. 

More than 14,000 personnel will be participating in Balikatan 2025, which runs from 21 April to 9 May. 

Alongside the Philippines, United States, and Australia, the exercise will include participants and observers from a range of countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. This year, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands will be observing for the first time. 

Australia’s contribution to Balikatan 2025 includes conventional and special forces from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, exercising integrated air and missile defence, counter-landing, sustainment, medical support, maritime strike, and multinational coordination, as well as delivering humanitarian civic assistance. 

Quotes attributable to Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN 

“The Philippines is one of our closest partners and friends, and under our Strategic Partnership, our defence relationship continues to deepen.”

“Balikatan 2025 highlights the United States and Philippines’ commitment to their bilateral partnership as well as interoperability with other partner nations.”

“Australia’s participation demonstrates our commitment to security and stability, and engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.”

Media note

Imagery and vision of the operation are available at: https://images.defence.gov.au/S20250387