PALAWAN, Philippines – A powerful display of joint strength and military co-operation took place on the shores of Rizal, Palawan, as Australian, Philippine, and United States forces conducted a live-fire counter-landing operation as part of Exercise Balikatan 2025, which runs from 21 April to 9 May.
Under the blistering tropical heat, troops from the Australian Army’s 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR), the United States Marine Corps, and the Philippine Marine Corps joined forces in defending against a simulated amphibious assault on Philippine territory. The drill formed a key part of Balikatan’s mission to strengthen military interoperability and shared defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
“Working with the US and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during Balikatan 25 has been exceptional,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan, Commanding Officer of Battle Group Tiger and 5/7 RAR. “It’s demonstrated the professionalism across our forces and our capacity to integrate and work effectively at all levels of command, showcasing the means in which we can work together in the lead up to high-level warfighting activities.”
Over several days leading to the live-fire event, the multinational battlegroup conducted tactical planning and rehearsals, exchanging battlefield and medical procedures while enduring jungle terrain and extreme conditions.
“The counter-landing live fire allows the US, Australian Defence Force and Philippine Marine Corps to get on a live fire range and work through our defence and how we would notionally protect a beachhead and exchange tactics and procedures as we go through that process,” said Captain Carter Collins, Echo Company Commander, US Marines.
“It’s been fantastic to work with both ADF and the Philippine Marine Corps. They have both jumped straight into subject-matter expert exchanges… trying to understand how we do things, and also teaching us things we didn’t know.”
The scenario commenced with a maritime interdiction, in which Philippine Navy vessels, coastal artillery, and guided weapons systems repelled notional adversary ships. Following this, combined forces onshore engaged in a co-ordinated defensive battle, using small arms and fortified positions to protect the beachhead from a mock invasion.
Capping off the exercise was the dramatic use of the US Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), with long-range precision fires targeting designated ocean co-ordinates—an emphatic display of firepower and co-ordination.
Philippine Marine Corps 3rd Marine Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Jimmy Larida Mangoroban, emphasised the significance of trilateral co-operation: “Today we have witnessed some of the powers of our partner nations. We are very grateful for their participation–this is a community of like-minded nations pursuing a rules-based international order here on Exercise Balikatan.”
This year marks the 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan, the largest annual bilateral training between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military. For 2025, more than 14,000 troops are participating, including over 260 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. Australia’s contribution spans conventional and special forces, tactical air operations, coastal defence, medical and humanitarian support, and multinational command co-ordination.
As regional tensions evolve, Balikatan—meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino—continues to serve as a pillar of collective readiness, friendship, and commitment to peace in the Indo-Pacific.
However, the exercises have drawn criticism from China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, “By choosing to join forces with the U.S. through Balikatan, the Philippines is compromising the strategic stability of countries in the region, as well as economic prospects”.
In response, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed China’s warnings, emphasising the Philippines’ sovereign right to conduct military exercises with its allies. He stressed that these collaborations are vital for regional security and are not intended to provoke any particular nation.
Additionally, the Philippine Navy confirmed the presence of Chinese warships observing the naval portion of the exercise off Zambales. Nevertheless, all training activities proceeded as planned.
“Despite the presence of these PLAN vessels, the training activities proceeded without disruption. The activities of the Chinese naval vessels have been addressed in accordance with international law and protocols, and Philippine Navy ships remain focused on their training objectives alongside our allies,” the Navy said in a report.
These developments underscore the heightened tensions in the region and the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities through international partnerships.
