2023 Balikatan Military Exercises: What Are They?
An overview of the 2023 shoulder-to-shoulder joint military exercises in the Philippines
Today, I will be exploring and sharing the 2023 Balikatan military exercises of the United States military, Philippine Armed Forces, and Australian Defense Force being held in multiple locations throughout the Philippines.
But what are they for? The Balikatan 23 exercises, also known as the shoulder-to-shoulder joint military exercises, aim to enhance the military readiness and interoperability of these three participating nations, while also promoting regional stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
The exercises take place over a period of two weeks (April 11–28, 2023) and involve a variety of military training scenarios, such as live-fire exercises, amphibious landing drills, and humanitarian assistance simulations.
This year’s exercises took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that additional health and safety measures were put in place to reduce the risks of virus transmission.
The exercises were carried out with a reduced number of participants, and a significant portion of the training took place remotely.
One of the highlights of this year’s Balikatan exercises was the amphibious landing drill, which involved a joint US-Philippine amphibious assault team landing on the shores of a simulated enemy stronghold.
The exercise demonstrated the ability of both militaries to work seamlessly together in a high-pressure combat scenario.
In addition to combat training, the exercises also included a range of civil-military activities designed to promote community engagement and goodwill. These activities included the distribution of relief goods and medical assistance to local communities in need.
One of the most important aspects of the 2023 shoulder-to-shoulder exercises is the opportunity they provide for American and Philippine forces to train together and build stronger relationships.
The exercises allow both forces to share knowledge, techniques, and tactics, and to build trust and mutual understanding.
Additionally, Balikatan 23 exercises also provide a platform for the U.S. military to showcase its capabilities and its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
The Philippines, in particular, has become an increasingly important strategic partner for the United States.
As China’s military has become more dominant and assertive in the region, the Philippines has become a very key player in the U.S. effort to maintain stability and security in the South China Sea.
Overall, the 2023 shoulder-to-shoulder joint military exercises are an important component of the U.S. military’s commitment to the Philippines and the broader region.
They represent a chance for both forces to learn from one another, improve their capabilities, and enhance their readiness to respond to regional security challenges.
It is clear that the Balikatan exercises will continue to play an important role in strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance and maintaining regional stability and security.
The Balikatan exercises have not been without controversy, however. The exercises have drawn criticism from some political groups within the Philippines, who view them as a violation of Philippine sovereignty.
There have also been concerns raised about the environmental impact of the exercises on local ecosystems and communities.
Despite these concerns, the Balikatan exercises remain an important platform for the United States and Philippine militaries to strengthen their partnership and enhance their capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
The exercises also serve as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations, which has endured for over a century.
More than 17,600 American, Filipino, and Australian sailors, Marine soldiers, and airmen are participating in the exercise.
Approximately 5,400 AFP personnel, 12,200 U.S. military personnel, and over 100 Australian Defense Force personnel are training shoulder-to-shoulder.
Here is a list of weapons used in the recent Balikatan 23 military exercises:
United States:
M16A2/A4 rifles
M4 carbines
M249 SAWs
M240B machine guns
M134 miniguns
M2 Browning heavy machine guns
M1 Abrams tanks
Bradley Fighting Vehicles
Apache attack helicopters
Black Hawk helicopters
Chinook helicopters
Philippines:
M16A2/A4 rifles
M4 carbines
M249 SAWs
M240B machine guns
M134 miniguns
M2 Browning heavy machine guns
M113 armored personnel carriers
V-150 Commando armored cars
UH-1H Iroquois helicopters
S-70 Black Hawk helicopters
Australia:
F88 Austeyr rifles
L16A2 light machine guns
M249 SAWs
M240B machine guns
M134 miniguns
M2 Browning heavy machine guns
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles
MRH-90 Taipan helicopters
It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and that other weapons may have been used during the exercises.
So, that’s it for today’s update on the 2023 Balikatan military exercises in the Philippines. Thank you for reading. I hope you have enjoyed this blog post.
If you have any thoughts about the subject, please feel free to share them with us in the reply/comment section. Kindly share this article with your family and friends who might like to read about this kind of topic or genre.
I appreciate you reading my article. Check out my other articles below as well. As always, I’m indeed very grateful for your support of my writing gig.
You can follow me on Medium, check out my other Medium posts, and sign-up to my email here to get instant notification every time I have new posts.
Consider also becoming a Medium member here to get unlimited access to my stories and to support the other Medium writers as well. Please take care of yourself and each other. Until next time. Have a blessed day to all. Cheers!
