By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The air defense capabilities of the Philippines and the United States were boosted following the successful conduct of the “Integrated Air and Missile Defense” (IAMD) training held at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Zambales on Sunday.
The IAMD is part of the ongoing “Balikatan” exercises between Filipino and American military personnel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a news release Monday.
“During the exercise, AFP and US personnel collaborated to sense and engage targets, employing the Philippine Air Force Spyder Air Defense System and various Ground-Based Air Defense Systems,” it added.
Meanwhile, participating US forces demonstrated several counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) technologies. These systems are designed to detect airspace intrusions and enhance overall force protection for both Philippine and US units.
Sunday’s IAMD event also utilized the US Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), an air defense system designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralize aerial threats—especially drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.
This year’s “Balikatan”, which runs from April 21 to May 9, continues to strengthen interoperability and readiness between allied forces, ensuring a robust and coordinated response to emerging security challenges in the region.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido also witnessed these crucial air defense exercises at the Command and Control Fusion Center at Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga.
“Lt. Gen. Galido, together with AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and major service commanders, attended the Air Defense Exercise and the IAMD Exercise which demonstrated the seamless coordination between the AFP and the US Armed Forces Indo-Pacific Command,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said in a statement Monday.
The exercises are among the key components of this year’s Balikatan, which features a “full battle test.”
Galido earlier announced that the service is looking at acquiring a short-range air defense system that will complement the PA Land Defense Concept, to fully support the Air Force and the Navy’s efforts in realizing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. (PNA)
