Japan and U.S. Missile Firings Highlight New Phase of Balikatan 2026

During the closing phase of Balikatan 2026, Japanese Type 88 anti-ship missiles launched from Paoay, Ilocos Norte, sank the decommissioned corvette BRP Quezon (PS-70) 75 km offshore in six minutes. The next day the U.S. Army fired a Tomahawk from its Typhon system on Leyte, striking a target 630 km away.

South China Morning Post

Balikatan, the annual U.S.–Philippines drill, expanded in 2026 to include Japan, Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand, reflecting concerns over China’s naval moves near Taiwan and the South China Sea. Key dates: 20 Apr – start; 5 May – U.S. Typhon launch; 6 May – Japanese Type 88 strike; 8 May – close. The September 2025 reciprocal access agreement allowed Japanese ground forces to train on Philippine soil for the first time since World War II.

Japan fires first Type 88 anti-ship missiles overseas during Balikatan 2026 exercise in Philippines

• ~17,000 troops from seven nations.

NPR

• 1,400 Japanese personnel; 70 operated Type 88 launchers.

Japan fires first Type 88 anti-ship missiles overseas during Balikatan 2026 exercise in Philippines

• Type 88 range ?180 km, warhead 225 kg; Tomahawk range 1,250-2,000 km, flight ?10 min.

Japan fires first Type 88 anti-ship missiles overseas during Balikatan 2026 exercise in Philippines

• Japan also offered five TC-90 aircraft and six Abukuma-class frigates at no cost, subject to Philippine assessment.

The Maritime Executive

The coordinated firings illustrate a nascent multinational coastal-missile network aimed at denying Chinese naval movement through the First Island Chain, especially the Luzon Strait, while deepening the Philippines’ reliance on U.S. and Japanese security guarantees. The arrangement raises questions about the Philippines’ strategic autonomy amid great-power rivalry.

Asia Times

Japan’s defense ministry offered six Abukuma-class frigates and TC-90 aircraft for transfer, stressing interoperability. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro highlighted integration was successful and equipment will be assessed before acceptance. A U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson called the Typhon test a readiness-enhancing joint capability. Gen. Ronald Clark said the exercise tests the “see, sense, strike, protect” concept for early threat detection.

Asia Times

China’s foreign ministry condemned the Type 88 launch as remilitarisation. Civil-society voice Anna Malindog-Uy warned Typhon raises the Philippines’ exposure to great-power conflict and strategic-autonomy risks. Teodoro dismissed Chinese concerns.

NPR

China alleges the Philippines pledged to withdraw U.S. missiles after 2024 drills; Manila denies any such promise. Japanese and Philippine officials differ on whether the offered frigates will be accepted pending cost-benefit analysis.

Asia Times

• “Yes, Typhon may enhance deterrence, but it also raises the Philippines' exposure to great-power conflict," said Anna Malindog-Uy, secretary-general of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding, a civic group.” — Anna Malindog-Uy, secretary-general, Association for Philippines-China Understanding

NPR

• “I mean, what you're looking at on this beachhead is a defense in depth.” — Gen. Ronald Clark, commander, U.S. Army Pacific

NPR

• “Some of their policies and moves have gone far beyond the scope of self-defense,” — Lin Jian, spokesperson, Chinese Foreign Ministry

Stars and Stripes

• “Number one, I don’t believe it. Number two, they don’t care about that,” — Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Philippine Defense Secretary

Stars and Stripes

The Philippines, Japan and the United States will meet under the informal “Squad” framework to plan next-year’s drills beyond Philippine waters, and negotiations continue on the transfer of up to six Abukuma-class frigates and TC-90 aircraft.

The Maritime Executive