Tanks, Drones, and 4,000 Troops: PH Army Flexes Coastal Defense in Pangasinan Live-Fire Drill

The Philippine Army just sent a strong message — don't mess with our coastline. In a massive show of force last March 9, armor and artillery units successfully repelled a simulated enemy assault during a littoral defense live-fire exercise in Burgos, Pangasinan, part of the Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) "Katihan."

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, the Army chief, personally observed the drills and stressed the importance of training hard to keep up with the fast-changing global and regional security landscape. The exercise was led by the 701st Combined Arms Brigade, which deployed armored infantry fighting vehicles equipped with Remote Control Weapons Systems (RCWS) and 105mm towed howitzers.

But it wasn't just traditional firepower on display. Army reservists also deployed combat drones against strategically placed targets along the Burgos shoreline, showcasing the military's push to integrate modern technology into its defense capabilities. A total of 4,222 personnel participated in the unilateral exercise, with operations spread across training areas in Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte.

Now on its third iteration, CATEX Katihan tests the Army's Land Defense Concept in support of external security operations — essentially how the PA organizes, trains, and employs its forces to defend the country's territory, people, and strategic assets. Nafarrete commended the troops for their coordination between regular units and reservists.

By combining traditional firepower with cutting-edge technology like combat drones, the Army aims to ensure its forces remain capable of defending strategic coastal areas against diverse threats — a critical capability given ongoing tensions in the region. (Source: Manila Bulletin)