Japanese troops are set to participate in the Salaknib exercise for the first time with the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific in April this year.
“Salaknib is basically a United States-Philippines bilateral exercise. For the coming Salaknib…300 troops from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will take part in these various trainings,” Philippine Army Commanding Officer Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said in the latest press briefing.
“They will join us. It is more on infantry combined arms operations, and there will also be [humanitarian assistance and disaster relief] operations,” he added.
Nafarrete emphasized the importance of Japan’s participation in the exercise: “It is more on knowing our interoperability with the Japanese army (JGSDF). This is the first time. Knowing your friend.”
Salaknib will be conducted in two phases: the first scheduled from April to May, and the second to be held after the annual Balikatan exercises in June.
Around 4,000 to 5,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia are expected to participate in this year’s Salaknib.
Training activities will primarily take place in Northern Luzon, particularly at Fort Magsaysay.
