SHIPS from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Australian Defense Force (ADF) and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sailed together on Saturday in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of Exercise Amphibious and Land Operations (ALON) 2025.
The Mutual Cooperative Activity (MCA) was designed to enhance interoperability and coordination between the participating navies by practicing communication, domain awareness, and tactical maneuvers at sea.
The Philippine Navy deployed its flagship, the guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal. The Australian navy was represented by the HMAS Brisbane, and Canadian navy by the HMCS Ville de Quebec.
The exercise featured helicopter cross-deck landings, personnel transfers via the MH-60 Seahawk, rigid-hulled inflatable boats and ship-to-ship interoperability drills.
The AFP said the activity showcases the three countries’ resolve to “uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific” as well as their commitment to promote freedom of navigation, regional stability, and collective maritime security.
PH, Australia, Canada hold joint sea drills, This news data comes from:http://aod-gc-vm-ye.yamato-syokunin.com
The Philippines and Australia on Friday further strengthened their defense partnership by agreeing to come up with a defense cooperation agreement next year.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles held the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers Meeting in Makati City where they reaffirmed the strategic partnership between their countries.
Marles said Australia will build military infrastructure projects in unspecified locations in the country.
Teodoro said the agreement with Australia will not be like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which grants US troops access to specific Philippine military bases and the right to build infrastructures but not a permanent base.
- AFP: It would take more than a tugboat to tow BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal
- Two dead as strong earthquake jolts Afghanistan
- 17 House lawmakers press Marcos administration to raise WPS issue to UN
- Seoul says fired warning shots after North Korean troops crossed border
- 100K Pakistanis flee amid flood threat
- Discayas to file raps vs protesters, will attend Senate hearing — lawyer
- Government work, classes on Tuesday suspended due to bad weather
- Japan accelerates missile deployment amid rising regional tensions
- China's Communist rulers push party role before World War II anniversary
- Mexican senators come to blows after heated debate
