US firepower on...

debuted in the country, targeted drones for the live-fire exercise.

Both weapon systems are being used by Ukraine to defend itself from Russia. The Patriot donated by Western allies arrived only last week in Ukraine after months of training by Ukrainian troops.

But Maj. Gen. Brian Gibson, commander of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, reiterated that the Balikatan live-fire exercise and its chosen locations were not directed at any perceived enemies.

Not against any adversary

“Balikatan is against no particular individual country or adversary. It’s an opportunity to exercise between our militaries but also some other partners involved,” he told reporters.

“Whether it’s the South China Sea, whether it’s the northern Philippines, whether it’s in another country… it’s the point that we’re doing it together,” Gibson said.

“You’ll see around the globe where our U.S. Patriot forces operate, and not just here in the Indo-Pacific, the recognition that this system is lethal, combat-credible, has a history in crisis, conflicts and peace, to both assure and deter,” he said.

The largest-ever Balikatan exercises, involving almost 18,000 troops from the United States, the Philippines and Australia, are taking place in various locations around the country, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The war games started on April 11 and will end on April 28.

The drills followed the official announcement of four new locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), allowing the expansion of American military presence in the Philippines, from an initial five sites under the deal signed in 2014.

The four new sites include three in northern Luzon close to Taiwan (Camilo Osias Naval Base and Lal-lo Airport, both in Cagayan, and Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and one near the West Philippine Sea (Balabac Island in Palawan province).

The Patriot (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target) system was developed by U.S. weapons manufacturer Raytheon and is used in 17 countries. It can track and shoot down attacking missiles and aircraft with a minimum flight time of less than nine seconds and can travel up to 70 kilometers to a target.

The Avenger built by Boeing, on the other hand, is a fully automated, short-range air defense system and is the Army’s premier shoot-on-the-move air defense weapon with a speed of 55 miles per hour (88.51 kph) and a range of 275 miles (442.57 km).

Filipino soldiers were briefed on the weapon systems last week, also in Zambales.

Main event

In another first, on Wednesday, April 26, the two allies will demonstrate their joint capabilities by sinking a mock enemy ship off Zambales with rockets and missiles fired by weapon systems used by the Philippine and U.S. militaries,