Honoring shared service and strengthening our defense partnership

Each year on ANZAC Day, Australians pause to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. It is also a moment to reflect on the enduring partnerships forged in times of conflict – partnerships that continue to shape our cooperation today.

For Australia and the Philippines, our defense ties are longstanding and deeply rooted in shared history. They date back to the Second World War, when our nations stood together in the face of profound challenges.

Early in the Pacific War, Australia provided safe harbor to President Quezon, Vice President Osmeña and key members of the Philippine wartime Cabinet when they escaped from the besieged fortress of Corregidor. They landed at Batchelor Field in the Northern Territory on 27 March 1942. From there, they journeyed from Alice Springs to Adelaide, and finally by train to Melbourne, where they reunited with General Douglas MacArthur, before journeying to the United States to contribute to the eventual liberation of the Philippines.

Our shared wartime experience also included cooperation with the Filipino resistance. In 1943, Australian prisoners of war who escaped from Sandakan joined guerrilla fighters in Tawi-Tawi, contributing to their efforts.

Australian forces played an important role in the liberation of the Philippines. During the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Shropshire alongside other allied forces defeated a Japanese Battle Squadron which allowed the successful amphibious landings at Leyte Gulf and General MacArthur’s return to the Philippines. Just prior to the battle, HMAS Australia suffered what is believed to be the first-ever kamikaze attack that damaged the ship and killed her commanding officer.

During the liberation, Australian naval, air and army forces also supported amphibious landings in Luzon, conducted aerial reconnaissance, provided signals intelligence and contributed to naval operations and airfield construction. These early experiences established a foundation of trust and cooperation between our armed forces that has remained steadfast ever since.

That partnership continued in the years that followed. In 1951, Australian and Filipino troops again fought side by side during the defense of South Korea against the Chinese Spring Offensive. In subsequent decades, our forces have operated in shared theaters, including Vietnam, Timor-Leste and Iraq.

More recently, our cooperation has extended beyond traditional conflict settings. In 2013, Australia delivered rapid medical and logistics support in response to Super Typhoon Yolanda. In 2017, the Australian Defense Force supported the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ operations in Marawi through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Across conflict, crisis and disaster, Australia and the Philippines have stood side by side.

Today, that partnership is stronger and more active than ever.

In 2025 alone, more than 4,400 Australian sailors, soldiers and aviators deployed to the Philippines for exercises and operations. This reflects the scale, ambition and practical focus of our defense engagement.

A key example was Exercise Alon in September 2025 – the largest overseas joint force projection activity that Australia had conducted within the region in recent history. Involving over 3,600 personnel, the exercise brought together specialist air, land and maritime forces, including amphibious capabilities, to conduct coastal defense and landing operations. Planning is already underway for Exercise Alon 2027, and we look forward to welcoming the Armed Forces of the Philippines back to Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia in 2027, following their inaugural participation in 2025. These exercises are central to building interoperability, professional relationships and shared capability.

It is fitting that this ANZAC Day, our forces are once again working side by side. In 2026, Australia is doubling its contribution to Exercise Balikatan, with more than 450 Australian Defense Force personnel participating, including HMAS Toowoomba. The exercise focuses on advanced land, sea, air and cyber operations alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other allies and partners, strengthening our ability to operate together in complex environments.

Our cooperation continues throughout the year. In July, the Philippine Air Force will deploy fighter aircraft to Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black, one of the region’s largest air combat training activities. Australia will also host over 100 Philippine Army personnel on Exercise Carabaroo in Townsville – the largest Philippine Army overseas exercise in 2026. This will see a Brigade Combat Team from the Philippines integrate with Australia’s 1st Division to conduct advanced land and littoral maneuver training.

Beyond major exercises, our defense engagement is broad and sustained. Each year, Australia and the Philippines conduct more than 200 activities under our Defense Engagement Plan. These include joint training, mobile training teams, student exchanges and senior leader dialogues across maritime, land, air, cyber and special operations domains.

Professional education is another key part of this partnership. Around 70 personnel from the Philippine Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines undertake training in Australia each year, including at the Australian Defense Force Academy and the Australian War College. These exchanges build skills, strengthen networks and contribute to long-term institutional cooperation.

In 2026, we will also see our policy settings further strengthened following the signing of the Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation by our defense leaders in August 2025. This includes updating our Defense Cooperation Arrangement and developing a Defense Infrastructure Plan to enhance dialogue between our defense institutions, improve information sharing and develop greater collaboration in areas such as maritime domain awareness and search and rescue. Collectively, these initiatives will support more integrated and sustained cooperation, while respecting Philippine sovereignty and priorities.

Our efforts are aligned with Australia’s National Defense Strategy 2026, which emphasizes the importance of working closely with regional partners. Australia and the Philippines share a clear interest in building resilience, deterring coercion and contributing to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

ANZAC Day reminds us that the bonds between our nations were forged through shared sacrifice. Those bonds continue to guide our cooperation today.

As we honor those who served, we also look to the future. Through sustained engagement, practical cooperation and shared purpose, Australia and the Philippines will continue to strengthen our defense partnership and contribute to the security and stability of our region.

In remembering the past, we reaffirm our commitment to stand together in the years ahead.

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Marc Innes-Brown is the Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines.