Marking a significant step in Canada's Indo-Pacific engagement, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will actively participate in Exercise BALIKATAN, an annual military exercise in the Philippines, from April 20 to May 8, 2026.
Led by the United States and the Philippines, Exercise BALIKATAN will involve a broad range of CAF personnel and capabilities, including contributions from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, the CAF Cyber Command, and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
While in previous years the CAF participated as observers, this year, Canadian personnel will train shoulder‑to‑shoulder with partners in areas such as air and missile defence, coastal defence, logistics and sustainment, medical support, maritime strike operations, and multinational coordination.
CAF participation in Exercise BALIKATAN is part of Operation HORIZON, Canada's contribution to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This exercise is designed to strengthen long‑standing partnerships with like‑minded nations, enhance combined military capability, and reinforce a shared commitment to regional security and stability.
