Makati city: The United States and the Philippines are set to incorporate ‘cutting-edge’ technology in combating cyber threats in the 2026 iteration of Exercise Balikatan. ‘On Balikatan, the upcoming 2026 exercise, we’re working to evolve that to reflect this reality that cyber is integral to every military operation,’ US Embassy ICT unit chief Jennifer Schmidt said during a panel discussion at the 2025 Pilipinas Conference in Makati City.

According to Philippines News Agency, Schmidt stated that the two countries are collaborating to include advanced training ranges and robust cyber threat software in the exercise scenarios. She emphasized that the cyber cooperation between the US and the Philippines is rapidly transitioning from an emerging focus to a ‘central pillar’ in their alliance, with an understanding that future conflicts may originate in the digital domain.

Schmidt highlighted that the aim is to make progress in a sustainable and scalable manner by integrating cyber defense across all government levels and fostering a deeper, more resilient technical partnership. This approach ensures that military interoperability is closely linked with the protection of national critical infrastructure.

The 2026 Balikatan exercise is anticipated to feature over 500 joint military activities, including large-scale exercises and smaller expert exchanges. Additionally, it is expected to host Canada’s largest contingent to Balikatan. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman also expressed Canada’s commitment to support cybersecurity initiatives in the Philippines through capacity-building efforts.