The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that Balikatan 2026 exercises will place greater emphasis on cyber defense drills, reflecting the changing nature of modern warfare.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. cited global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East as key examples of how cyber warfare is used to disrupt enemy systems before physical attacks.
He emphasized that cyber operations can disable critical infrastructure like radar systems, command centers, and weapon systems, making cyber defense a vital military capability.
The joint exercises involving the Philippines, United States, and allies are set to begin on April 20 and run until late May.
Brawner also assured that sufficient fuel and resources have already been allocated, allowing full implementation of all planned exercises despite ongoing global tensions.
BALIKATAN 2026 TO PRIORITIZE CYBER DEFENSE AMID EVOLVING GLOBAL CONFLICTS
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