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Japan Fires Type 88 Missiles In PH During Balikatan
Screengrab from DND
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces fired Type 88 surface-to-ship missiles in the Philippines for the first time during Exercise Balikatan 2026, marking a major development in the growing defense cooperation between Manila and Tokyo.
The live-fire exercise was held at the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte and was witnessed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, alongside military personnel from the Philippines, Japan, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The missile launch formed part of the maritime strike events under Balikatan 2026, the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States that have expanded this year to include several allied nations as active participants. Japan joined the drills as a full participant for the first time, together with Canada, France, and New Zealand.
During the exercise, Japanese forces launched two Type 88 anti-ship missiles that struck the decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel BRP Quezon positioned about 75 kilometers offshore facing the South China Sea. The Type 88 missile system, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is designed for coastal defense and maritime deterrence.
The maritime strike exercise also involved coordinated attacks using US HIMARS rocket systems, Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets, Super Tucano aircraft, Philippine Navy frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Antonio Luna, and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown.
Teodoro said the exercise demonstrated improving interoperability among allied forces in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the Philippines’ growing capability to operate alongside partner nations in promoting regional security and freedom of navigation.
More than 17,000 troops participated in this year’s Balikatan exercises, including around 10,000 American personnel and approximately 1,400 Japanese troops.
The exercise also came as the Philippines and Japan continued discussions on possible defense equipment transfers, including Japanese TC-90 aircraft and Abukuma-class destroyers that could further support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.
The live-fire exercise was held at the Paoay Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte and was witnessed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, alongside military personnel from the Philippines, Japan, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The missile launch formed part of the maritime strike events under Balikatan 2026, the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States that have expanded this year to include several allied nations as active participants. Japan joined the drills as a full participant for the first time, together with Canada, France, and New Zealand.
During the exercise, Japanese forces launched two Type 88 anti-ship missiles that struck the decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel BRP Quezon positioned about 75 kilometers offshore facing the South China Sea. The Type 88 missile system, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, is designed for coastal defense and maritime deterrence.
The maritime strike exercise also involved coordinated attacks using US HIMARS rocket systems, Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets, Super Tucano aircraft, Philippine Navy frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Antonio Luna, and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown.
Teodoro said the exercise demonstrated improving interoperability among allied forces in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the Philippines’ growing capability to operate alongside partner nations in promoting regional security and freedom of navigation.
More than 17,000 troops participated in this year’s Balikatan exercises, including around 10,000 American personnel and approximately 1,400 Japanese troops.
The exercise also came as the Philippines and Japan continued discussions on possible defense equipment transfers, including Japanese TC-90 aircraft and Abukuma-class destroyers that could further support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.
May 8, 2026
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