Philippines, Australia conduct naval drills in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine and Australian warships conducted joint naval drills off southwest Lubang Island, Mindoro, on Tuesday, August 19, as part of Exercise Alon 2025 — the largest iteration of the joint military exercise to date.

The Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and the Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG41) took part in the joint sail in the West Philippine Sea, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) public affairs office.

The operations included personnel transfers, a communications exercise, watchkeeping drills, combined anti-submarine operations, night steaming in company, and flight quarters drills. 

The exercises are aimed at boosting “interoperability, operational readiness, and maritime security cooperation” between the AFP and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). 

"The joint maneuvers highlight the enduring defense partnership and shared commitment of the Philippines and Australia to promoting peace and stability in the region," the AFP said.

Philippine Navy personnel conduct the Officer of the Watch Manning Exercise aboard ship, Aug. 19, 2025.

Armed Forces of the Philippines / Released

Biggest yet. This year's Exercise Alon (Filipino for "wave") is the largest iteration of the bilateral exercise between the Philippines and Australia since it began in 2023, the same year that both countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.

It is also Australia's largest overseas military exercise for 2025.

More than 3,600 personnel are taking part in the two-week joint exercise, which will run from August 15 to 29 across Palawan and Luzon and will include live-fire drills, a beach assault, and a large-scale airlift.

Besides the AFP and the ADF, other participating armies include contingents from the United States Marine Corps’ Marine Rotation Force – Darwin and the Royal Canadian Navy.

Vice Admiral Justin Jones, chief of Australia’s Joint Operations Command, said yesterday the exercise is an opportunity to "practice how we collaborate and respond to shared security challenges, and project force over great distances in the Indo-Pacific.”  

ADF troops carry out a personnel transfer as part of Exercise ALON 2025.

Armed Forces of the Philippines / Released

Flaring tensions. The drills are being held as Chinese vessels continue to maintain a heavy presence and obstruct Philippine patrols in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea that lies within the country’s exclusive economic zone. 

Australia has repeatedly raised concerns over such incidents and has expressed support for Manila in asserting its rights in the tense waterways.

Last week, Australia joined other foreign missions in condemning the “dangerous and unprofessional conduct” of Chinese ships near Scarborough Shoal, after two larger vessels collided while chasing a smaller Philippine Coast Guard boat. 

Australia is just one of five countries which the Philippines is strategic partners with, besides Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and most recently, India.