Modern Weapon Systems Showcased in Balikatan Drills

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military will use as target the decommissioned World War II corvette Miguel Malvar to be sunk during the maritime strike exercise under Balikatan exercises in San Antonio, Zambales today.

- By PIA LEE-BRAGO

Balikatan spokesperson Brig. Gen. Michael Logico said the Philippine Navy's warship would be sunk and engaged by the AFP and US military approximately 30 to 40 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales in the West Philippine Sea.

The exercise will feature modern weapon systems from the AFP and the US.

"We will be engaging it using our combined and joint assets. We will be using our FA-50s (fighter aircraft) and our A-29 Super Tucanos. We will fire our Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missile from our fast attack interdiction craft, as well as our C-STAR (anti-ship cruise missile) from Antonio Luna," Logico added.

The US, he said, will be using its air assets, bombers, F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.

Under Balikatan, Pangasinan was the first ship sunk in 2023, followed by retired naval oil tanker Lake Caliraya during last year's exercises.

The AFP is still awaiting confirmation if President Marcos will personally attend the event.