Drone threats simulated in PH-US Balikatan drills

ZAMBALES, April 29 ------ Filipino and American soldiers carried out an integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, as part of the Balikatan Exercise 2026, highlighting their ability to counter evolving drone warfare threats and defend the country’s coastline.

During the drills, troops launched drones from the ground to simulate hostile aerial threats. These were engaged by the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Using .30 and .50 caliber machine guns and Stinger missiles, one by one, the drones were shot down and fell into the waters off San Antonio.

Aside from troops from the Philippines and the US, personnel from the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) participated as observers and also assisted in command and control operations. According to Major Richmon Jan Cayabyab, fire battery commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the IAMD approach integrates multiple layers of defense systems. “The IAMD is an approach in conducting air defense operations. It is a comprehensive, layered defense composed of weapon systems, command and control, sensors. We participate by doing an integrated approach with our allied countries,” Cayabyab told reporters in an interview.

The MADIS is designed to counter low-flying threats such as drones, unmanned aerial systems, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. Alongside this, the PAF deployed its Surface-to-Air Python and Derby (SPYDER) air defense system, a medium-range capability that can engage hostile aircraft. It assisted in detecting targets during the IAMD exercise. “We start with the detection of unknown tracks. Our early detection sensor—example is yung ating radars. The tracks will be reviewed and correlated sa tactical control element phase,” Cayabyab explained. “Once considered na itong hostile, then it will be distributed or relayed to our air defense systems—like the SPYDER, the MADIS ng US, the Avenger—to shoot down air and missile threats,” he added.

On Monday, the US also fired its Avenger air defense system, which successfully targeted a drone using a Stinger missile. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the use of advanced systems like the MADIS and Avenger strengthens the country’s defense posture, particularly against emerging drone warfare threats seen in modern conflicts. “All these particular drones that we see in different wars are modern threats and strategies that we have to consider. Here, we can observe drone operations, how to counter them, and how to protect our airspace,” said Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO). Cayabyab added that the exercise also allows Filipino troops to learn from allied forces and identify capability gaps. “We learn a lot from our allies. We determine our gaps. When we come back home, we will address those gaps in order for us to perform well in our duty,” he said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com