Canada is taking a more active role in Indo-Pacific security this spring as the Canadian Armed Forces prepares for its inaugural active participation in Exercise BALIKATAN, the annual multinational military exercise in the Philippines running from April 20 to May 8, 2026.

Previously involved as observers, Canadian personnel will now train directly alongside allied forces in a notable expansion of the country’s regional defence engagement. Led by the United States and the Philippines, the exercise brings together partner nations for complex, large-scale military coordination focused on readiness and interoperability.

Canada’s contribution will draw from across the force, including the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, CAF Cyber Command, and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. The broad deployment signals a whole-of-force approach to modern multinational operations.

Training activities will span key operational areas such as air and missile defence, coastal defence, logistics and sustainment, medical support, maritime strike operations, and multinational coordination. The shift from observer status to active integration places Canadian forces shoulder-to-shoulder with partners in some of the region’s most strategically relevant scenarios.

The participation falls under Operation HORIZON, Canada’s mission supporting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. Through BALIKATAN, Canada aims to deepen long-standing partnerships, improve combined military capability, and reinforce a shared commitment to regional security and stability.

As geopolitical attention increasingly turns to the Indo-Pacific, Canada’s expanded presence at BALIKATAN marks a significant step in translating strategy into action.