Balikatan is a Filipino term meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” and it is used to describe the annual military exercises that the Philippines and the United States have conducted since 2000. Balikatan 2025 will be the 38th iteration of these exercises, and it is scheduled to take place in the Philippines in May 2025.
Balikatan exercises are designed to improve the interoperability of the Philippine and US militaries, and to enhance their ability to work together in a variety of scenarios, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and maritime security. The exercises also provide an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their diplomatic and security ties.
