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Philippine, U.S., Japanese and Canadian forces destroyed two decommissioned ships off the western coast of Northern Luzon during a two-day maritime strike event held May 6–7 as part of Balikatan 2026.
The Joint Task Force Maritime Strike integrated land, sea and air platforms to test combined sensing, command-and-control and precision fires, serving as the exercise’s culminating live-fire event and highlighting the 75-year-old U.S.-Philippines alliance alongside partners. “The MARSTRIKE demonstrated the strength of our combined and joint force by integrating sensors and shooters across multiple domains to achieve a shared tactical objective,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, commanding general of the U.S. joint task force – forward. “This event proved that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the U.S. joint force, and the Japan Self-Defense Force can deliver long-range fires on a maritime target as one capable, ready, and lethal team.”
On the first day, the combined force engaged the decommissioned Philippine Navy ship BRP Quezon (PS-70), using a Japan Ground Self Defense Force Type-88 Surface-to-Ship Missile, while U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems also delivered on-target strikes. “Deploying the Type-88 Surface-to-Ship Missile in this complex MARSTRIKE allowed us to validate our tactical integration with U.S. and Philippine forces,” said JGSDF Lt. Col. Ishikawa Daisuke, public affairs officer with the joint staff office. “Sequencing our capabilities proves that our defense systems can operate seamlessly together which is essential for defense of the maritime domain.”
On the second day, Philippine Air Force FA-50PH Fighting Eagles and A-29 Super Tucanos engaged and sank a second decommissioned vessel, the BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20).
Additional assets supported the operation with sensors, command and control, and simulated fires. Those included the U.S. Marine Corps’ Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and Marine Air-Defense Integrated System; fixed-wing aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Philippine Navy and JGSDF; unmanned aerial vehicles from the U.S. Navy and Air Force; and the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Charlottetown. “Earlier today, our team participated in a MARSTRIKE evolution with our American and Philippine counterparts,” said Royal Canadian Navy Cmdr. Jonathan Maurice, commanding officer of HMCS Charlottetown. “The event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen coordination, fine-tune communications, and enhance our joint readiness.”
Exercise organizers said the event—along with other Balikatan training—continues to build interoperability and combined force coordination. “The successful execution of the Maritime Strike activity demonstrates the growing level of interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our allies,” said Philippine Marine Corps Col. Dennis Hernandez, AFP spokesperson for Balikatan 2026. “Through coordinated planning, information-sharing, and precision engagement, we were able to effectively integrate maritime, air, and ground capabilities in a complex operational environment.”
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military focused on strengthening allied cooperation and combined readiness in support of regional stability.
