MANILA, April 21 -- The "Balikatan" exercise is unique as it constantly adapts to meet contemporary security challenges, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said on Sunday.

"This Balikatan exercise is distinctive due to its scale and evolving nature, adapting to contemporary security challenges. Every Balikatan is increasingly complex than the last. It has evolved from the tactical to the operational level of war," she said in a news release.

This year's iteration of "Balikatan" will be on April 22 to May 10.

A multilateral maritime exercise between naval and coast guard ships of the Philippines, United States and France is among the expected highlights, along with a combined sinking exerci...