MANILA – Filipino and American troops will use several high-powered weapons systems in the counter-landing live-fire exercises at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on May 6 as part of the Balikatan exercises.
"Counter-landing live-fire" refers to a military tactic aimed at preventing or repelling hostile forces from establishing themselves in the country's territory.
In an advisory, the Combined Joint Information Bureau Exercise "Balikatan" said the event would feature joint counter-landing fires.
The military assets to be used in the exercises include 105mm and 155mm howitzers from the Philippine Army and Marines, four tanks from the Armor Division, a fast attack craft from the Philippine Navy, .50 caliber platforms from the US Marine Corps along with their Javelin anti-tank missiles, and multi-role anti-armor anti-personnel weapons systems, and the US Air Force MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle and B-52 heavy bomber.
About 16,000 American and Filipino troops will participate in this year's Balikatan, which will run from April 22 to May 10. (PNA)
