Philippine Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Hold Combined Live-fire Exercise

05 Mei 2026

JGSDF Type 16 MCV with 105mm gun meet with the Sabrah Light Tank with 105mm (all photos: Philippine Army)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City — The Philippine Army, through the Armor "Pambato" Division, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) conducted their first-ever combined live fire exercise as part of Exercise Salaknib at the lahar fields of Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac on May 1 to May 2, 2026.

More than 200 Philippine Army troops from the 1st Tank Battalion took part in the drills, utilizing four Sabrah Light Tanks. Meanwhile, around 40 troops from the JGSDF (Recon Combat Battalion, 12th Brigade) participated in the drills with four Maneuver Combat Vehicles in the Subject Matter Expert Exchange on May 1 and the Live Fire Exercise on May 2.

The live fire exercise followed a tactical scenario that included locating the enemy, fixing their position, and ultimately destroying the target. Troops also rehearsed safety protocols, including troubleshooting procedures in the event of a misfire or weapon malfunction with appropriate corrective actions taken to ensure operational safety and mission continuity.

Philippine Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados together with Armor Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ronel R. Manalo; JGSDF 12th Brigade Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Yoshifumi Ogura; Executive Director of the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces (PCVF) Undersecretary Antonio Habulan; and US Army Pacific 25ID Commander Major General James Bartholomees witnessed the drills.

Salaknib 2026 directly supports the Army’s active transition to External Security Operations by focusing on combined operations with the US Army Pacific and partner armies. Salaknib Phase is scheduled on May to June 2026 following the conclusion of Exercise Balikatan on May 8.

(Philippine Army)

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