05/08/2026
So proud of Team ELITE GRAPHICS for the dedication, quality, and turn around on the graphic wrap project for Dept of War during the Balikatan Military Drills in the Philippines!
CHINA GOT TRIGGERED OVER BALIKATAN’S AMPHIBIOUS TARGETS — AND THAT SAYS A LOT.
During the Live-Fire Counter-Landing Operations phase of Exercise Balikatan 41-2026, the participating forces were not simply firing at random floating objects. The exercise involved both stationary and remotely operated moving targets designed to simulate hostile amphibious assault vehicles attempting to land on Philippine shores.
What made the drill more interesting was the reaction coming from pro-Beijing propaganda pages and Chinese nationalist commentators online. Many quickly pointed out that the targets appeared visually similar to the Chinese-made Norinco Type-05 amphibious assault vehicle family, particularly the ZBD-05 used by the PLA Navy Marine Corps. Even the camouflage pattern reportedly caught their attention and clearly struck a nerve.
The moving targets themselves were remotely controlled and capable of maneuvering in different directions, creating a far more realistic engagement scenario for defending forces during the live-fire exercises. This is exactly the kind of training expected from a military alliance preparing to defend coastlines and deny hostile landing operations.
What China’s propagandists fail to understand — or intentionally ignore — is that regional countries are reacting to Beijing’s own actions. For years, China has rapidly expanded its amphibious warfare capabilities, conducted large-scale island seizure drills, militarized artificial islands, and repeatedly used intimidation tactics in disputed waters. Nations in the region are simply adapting to the reality in front of them.
No country spends heavily on amphibious assault ships, landing platforms, marine brigades, and cross-island invasion exercises “for peacekeeping alone.” The message from Balikatan is simple: any attempt at an amphibious landing in the Philippines would be met with force.
And judging by the online reaction, the exercise hit its intended target long before the live rounds even landed.
Photo and information credits to Torch / Uncle J Custom Boats.