00:00ASEAN member states under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will serve as observers in Balikatan 2026,
00:08signaling that all eyes are on the high-stakes drills.
00:11The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands firm that the exercises are above board,
00:16rooted in defense packs with the U.S., while other nations join under existing agreements.
00:22Around 17,000 troops will hit the ground running with forces from Japan, Australia, France, Canada,
00:29and New Zealand joining the fray.
00:31Meanwhile, Japan will step into the line of fire by deploying its Type 88 missile in live-fire drills,
00:38turning up the heat as forces train to strike a target ship.
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