Description

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Context

Missiles fired off the coast of the northern Philippines on Sunday as U.S. and Filipino forces conducted their first integrated defence drills, after China said it had seized control of a reef claimed by Manila.

Details

Exercise Balikatan is the largest bilateral military exercise between the United States and the Philippines.

The term Balikatan means shoulder-to-shoulder in Tagalog symbolizing the spirit of cooperation and mutual defense between the two nations.

About Exercise Balikatan 2025

Aspect	Details
Edition	40th
Countries	Primarily United States and the Philippines (with observers/participants from other allies)
Objective	To enhance military interoperability and readiness to defend Philippine sovereignty
Theme for 2025	Simulation of a full-scale battle scenario
Special Features	Full Battle Test incorporating real-world forces and events into virtual and constructive scenarios
Domains Covered	Air, Land, Sea, Space, Cyber

Components of Balikatan 2025

Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) Operation enhances the ability to deliver heavy equipment and supplies without relying on fixed ports.

Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) Activities including medical missions, school-building projects, and disaster preparedness drills.

Command-and-Control Exercise (C2X) focuses on communication, planning, and operational command coordination between the U.S. and Philippine forces.

Multilateral Maritime Exercise which are Naval drills involving multiple countries to strengthen maritime domain awareness and security.

Strategic Significance

Acts as a deterrent against aggressive moves by China in the South China Sea.

Reinforces the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty

Prepares forces for complex, multidomain operations in realistic settings.

Sends a strong signal of united defense commitment in the Indo-Pacific region.

About the Philippines and U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty

Signed in 1951.

Ensures mutual defense in case of an armed attack in the Pacific area.

Serves as the foundation for military cooperation and exercises like Balikatan.

Sources: HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. The Balikatan 2025 exercise includes which of the following domains?

Land
Air
Cyber
Space

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2, and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d)

Explanation:
Balikatan 2025 covers all five domains land, air, sea, space and cyber to test the comprehensive interoperability between the United States and Philippine forces.