PALAYAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) have joined forces with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the Australian Army for the 2026 iteration of the Philippines–United States Joint and Combined Exercise SALAKNIB.
Launched on April 6 at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, the exercise aims to strengthen soldiers’ capabilities in mission command systems interoperability, joint warfighting through aviation integration, combined arms operations, and operations in land-dominated environments.
Japan and Australia are joining SALAKNIB for the first time as participants and observers, marking the largest iteration of the exercise to date.
The Philippine Army and the USARPAC have been conducting SALAKNIB since 2015 under the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty.
“This year, SALAKNIB brings together more than 7,000 groups–a powerful demonstration of unity and shared purpose. More importantly, it represents a convergence of capabilities, experience, and results aimed at enhancing our collective defense readiness,” Philippine Army Vice Commander and Land Component Command–Luzon Commander Major General Efren Morados stated in his keynote remarks.
He added that the exercise 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.”
Morados further emphasized that SALAKNIB provides a platform for allied forces to operationalize these frameworks alongside partners, ensuring readiness to respond with speed, precision, and coordinated effort against evolving threats.
Meanwhile, US Army 25th Infantry Division Commanding General Major General James Bartholomees described the exercise as a demonstration of unity among allied forces.
“Our exercise, named SALAKNIB, meaning shield, reflects the essence of what we do here—four nations standing shoulder to shoulder, united in common defense and shared purpose,” he said.
Bartholomees also underscored the longstanding alliance between the Philippines and the United States, stating, “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.”
Over the coming weeks, participating troops will train in jungle operations, live fire ranges, and small unit tactics, focusing on interoperability across intelligence, fires, maneuver, sustainment, and command and control functions.
The exercise will also serve as a buildup to the larger joint exercise Balikatan, further enhancing coordination and readiness among allied forces.
“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,” Bartholomees furthered.
SALAKNIB Phase 1 runs from April 6 until April 17 and will be followed by Exercise Balikatan from April to May and SALAKNIB Phase 2 from May to June 2026.
The multilateral exercises cover maritime and territorial defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as amphibious and combined arms operations. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
