By Focus | 2025-09-05

Thousands of Philippine and Australian troops are training with allies and partners during Exercise Alon 25, the two countries' largest bilateral military drills to date.

More than 3,600 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Australian Defense Force (ADF), Royal Canadian Navy and US Marines kicked off the exercises August 15. They ended August 29.

"Exercise Alon 25 is an opportunity for us to practice how we collaborate and respond to shared security challenges, and project force over great distances in the Indo-Pacific," Australian Vice Adm. Justin Jones, the ADF's joint operations chief, said at the start of the drills.

Australia has become a key supporter of Philippine military training and modernization amid ongoing tensions stemming from Beijing's territorial claims over most of the South China Sea.

More than 60% of global maritime trade, worth more than $3 trillion annually, passes through the South China Sea. Despite a 2016 international ruling rejecting its claims, Beijing asserts that it controls almost the entire waterway, putting it in dispute with the Philippines and several other states in the region.

Activities during Alon 25 took place on the Philippine islands of Palawan and Luzon, both of which have lengthy borders facing the contested waterway.

"This experience shapes how Australia and the Philippines can work together in the future to support regional security and address common security challenges," Jones said in a statement at the conclusion of the exercises August 29.

"All countries in the Indo-Pacific have a vital role, and interest, in maintaining a region where state sovereignty is protected, international law is followed, and nations can make decisions, free from coercion."

Troops and assets

About 1,600 ADF personnel participated in the drills on land, at sea and in the air, according to Australia's Department of Defense.

Australian assets included the Hobart-class guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane with an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter; F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers and C-130J Hercules; a P-8A Poseidon concurrently deployed to the Philippines; and Australian air force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.

The AFP deployed approximately 1,525 personnel as well as assets from the army, air force, navy and marine corps, including an FA-50PH Fighting Eagle and an A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft; helicopters including the S-70i Blackhawk, T-129 ATAK and AW109; and a Jose Rizal Class guided missile frigate.

About 180 Canadian troops joined the drills aboard the HMCS Ville de Québec with an embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, while a task group from the US Marine Rotational Force - Darwin supported the exercise with approximately 350 personnel and an MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

Special Operations personnel from the AFP and ADF conducted integration and training activities throughout the Philippines. Troops conducted live-fire exercises on training ranges and in maritime areas and practiced amphibious landing operations and maritime maneuvers.

Additionally, the forces cooperated on cyber resilience and civil-military and religious capability engagement, as well as military public affairs.

Maintaining security

Exercise Alon 25 is not directed at any specific country but aims to increase security in the South China Sea, according to participants.

The maritime exercise is meant to maintain "rules-based international order" in the disputed waters, according to Philippine Col. Dennis Hernandez, executive agent for Exercise Alon 25, Business World reported August 28.

"Our activity is based on the premise that the exercise is anchored on the free and open Indo-Pacific with peace and prosperity in the region," Hernandez said at a news conference August 19.

Alon, which means "wave" in Tagalog, was first held in 2023.

Manila aims to increase the frequency of joint exercises with its partners to help deter China's aggression in the South China Sea, Philippine navy spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters, Reuters reported August 19.

Earlier this month, the Philippines and India held their first-ever Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea, Manila's name for parts of the South China Sea included in its exclusive economic zone.

After Exercise Alon, Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the United States carried out the 10th Multilateral MCA from September 2-3, even as Chinese warships shadowed the drills, according to the Philippine navy and Australian Defense Department.

The Chinese presence did not disrupt operations, Lt. Jr. Grade Prince Charles B. Bauyot, stationed aboard the BRP Jose Rizal, said. "We are not allowing them to shadow us. Instead, we are the ones monitoring them and issuing challenges," he told reporters.

The activity underscored a commitment "to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight," said the Australian government.

The drills highlighted collective resolve after Exercise Alon and demonstrated growing trust among partners, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

"We will continue to build on this foundation of trust, proving that we are indeed stronger together," he added, according to Philippine News Agency.