Ruptly
"The Philippine Army’s Armour ‘Pambato’ Division and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) conducted their first-ever combined live-fire exercise on Saturday, marking a deepening of defence cooperation between the two countries. Footage shows tanks firing at targets across Lahar Fields during the drills that took place at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas as part of Exercise Salaknib. More than 200 Filipino troops from the 1st Tank Battalion participated, deploying Sabrah Light Tanks, while around 40 Japanese troops took part using Manoeuvre Combat Vehicles during both a Subject Matter Expert Exchange on May 1 and the live-fire drills on May 2. The exercise forms part of Exercise Salaknib 2026, which supports Manila’s transition toward external security operations and focuses on joint interoperability with regional partners. Officials say the drills highlight growing coordination among Indo-Pacific allies and reinforce shared security interests aimed at maintaining a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific.’ Earlier phases of Salaknib in April also involved forces from the United States Army Pacific, Australian Army, and New Zealand Defence Force, including electronic warfare training at Fort Magsaysay."
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