MANILA — A senior United States military official said the annual “Balikatan” exercises involving the Philippines, the United States, and allied nations are not directed against any country, including China.

“Emphatically no. The exercise really is about reinforcing the alliance and the mutual defense treaty, enhancing our interoperability, strengthening our readiness, and supporting our ability to contribute to security in the region,” said U.S. Balikatan exercise director Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Wortman said there is “no target nation” in the drills and emphasized that the exercises are designed to improve cooperation, readiness, and the ability to respond to a range of missions, from humanitarian assistance to security operations.

“Our exercise objectives are really defined by that interoperability and readiness and our ability to support stability and a full range of operations from humanitarian assistance to security operations,” he added.

He also said global developments, including the conflict in the Middle East, had minimal impact on the exercises, noting only minor adjustments to participating forces.

“There have only been very minor changes to the exercise forces participating in ‘Balikatan’ due to emergent requirements,” Wortman said.

He added that core objectives remain unchanged and fully supported.

Wortman also highlighted the participation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, describing it as a result of growing security cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States.

“So we’re optimistic that they’re being incorporated into the exercise and we look forward to further strengthening these important relationships,” he said.

This year’s drills involve troops from the Philippines, U.S., Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand, with around 17,000 personnel expected to take part until May 8. The U.S. contingent alone is projected to reach about 10,000 troops.

U.S. Embassy in Manila Chargé d’Affaires Y. Robert Ewing said the 41st iteration of Balikatan coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.

He said the agreement remains a key pillar of Indo-Pacific security.

“The very name ‘Balikatan,’ meaning ‘shoulder to shoulder,’ captures the essence of our alliance. We do not merely stand beside one another – we stand with one another, sharing responsibilities, facing challenges together, and supporting each other in times of need,” Ewing said.

Ewing added that this year’s exercises are the largest in Balikatan history and reflect expanding cooperation among like-minded partners, with forces also participating from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand.

He said the drills will cover operations across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.