Philippines, US troops exchange notes on air defense

MANILA, Philippines — The US Avenger Air Defense System (AADS) took centerstage on the second day of this year’s Balikatan exercises, where Filipino and US troops trained in Zambales to familiarize themselves with the advanced premier shoot-on-the-move air defense platform and its primary armament, the FIM-92 Stinger missile.

Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, the army chief of Balikatan 2025’s combined joint information bureau, said Philippine and US army personnel assembled at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Zambales for a joint formation and activity briefing.

The military described the Avenger as a highly mobile, short-range air defense system that integrates eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles mounted on a Humvee, providing rapid target engagement against low-flying aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems or drones.

The Stinger missile is known for its infrared homing guidance and fire-and-forget capability.

Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, chief of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the ongoing Balikatan features a simulated full-scale battle scenario aimed at testing and enhancing the combined operational capabilities of troops under realistic conditions.

Aside from the NOLCOM, the Southern Luzon Command, Western Command, Visayas Command and Eastern Mindanao Command have also sent personnel to participate in Balikatan activities.

Twenty other nations have sent observers.

As the Balikatan entered its second day, China’s foreign ministry denounced the joint Philippine-US military drill and warned countries against using the Taiwan issue to strengthen their military deployment in the region.

“China firmly opposes any country using the Taiwan question as an excuse to strengthen military deployment in the region, heighten tensions and confrontation and disturb regional peace and stability,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

BrahMos missiles arriving

Amid China’s warning, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. confirmed yesterday the delivery of the second batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India.

The first batch of the weapons was delivered in April last year. A third batch is expected before 2028. He did not say when the latest delivery took place.

Teodoro said earlier deliveries were delayed because the military had to set up storage facilities first.

“We made the orders, but where to store them, we had to make preparations. Now, they’re coming in and we’re doing what’s necessary so we can use them properly,” he said in Filipino.

The DND signed an P18.9-billion deal in 2022 with India for the acquisition of a shore-based anti-ship missile system for the Philippine Navy.

Earlier yesterday, Teodoro held high-level talks with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

The two discussed security developments in the Indo-Pacific region and affirmed the Philippines’ and Indonesia’s shared interests as archipelagic nations.

“This fundamental similarity as neighbors can further deepen defense and military cooperation through sustained interaction and engagements at multiple levels,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.

“The meeting underscored the shared vision of the Philippines and Indonesia in promoting a stable, secure and rules-based regional order,” he said.

After welcoming his Indonesian counterpart, Teodoro again questioned the arrest in China of three Filipinos, allegedly for spying.

“What’s the capability of Filipinos to spy there, what’s our capability, is it in our interest to know what’s going on in that country? Our interest is in the West Philippine Sea,” he told reporters. — Pia Lee-Brago, Cecille Suerte Felipe