Philippines with Australia and Canada hold naval drills amid tensions rising in South China Sea.

On August 27, 2025, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported the conclusion of a large-scale maritime drill east of Bajo de Masinloc, conducted in coordination with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy. The exercise unfolded in one of the most contested maritime zones in Asia, where tensions between Chinese and Philippine forces have escalated in recent months. Designed around air defense and formation maneuvers, the operation highlighted the growing cooperation between like-minded nations, sending a clear message of solidarity and interoperability in a sensitive geopolitical flashpoint.
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By aligning its forces with those of Australia and Canada, the Philippines strengthens both deterrence and interoperability while amplifying its diplomatic voice in the South China Sea disputes (Picture source: Royal Australian Navy)

At the center of the drills, three major surface combatants, the Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), the Royal Australian Navy’s destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG41), and the Royal Canadian Navy’s frigate HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH332), executed air defense exercises against simulated aerial threats through coordinated response measures. In parallel, a Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX) tested tactical precision and maneuvering, supported by the deployment of fighter aircraft and combat helicopters, demonstrating joint naval readiness in high-intensity operational environments.

Beyond these maneuvers, the exercise was reinforced by a wide range of defense assets. Military imagery confirmed the participation of at least three fighter jets and two combat helicopters, while Australia also deployed F/A-18 fighter aircraft and C-130 Hercules transport planes to support both air defense and airlift missions. On land, training components included the use of Javelin anti-tank missiles and sniper systems during special forces operations. The broader framework of Exercise ALON 2025, which spanned from August 15 to 29 and involved more than 3,600 personnel, also integrated live-fire drills, amphibious landings, beach assaults, airlift operations, anti-submarine warfare training, night formation steaming, and flight quarters exercises involving naval aviation platforms.

The evolution of these engagements reflects a progression from simple passage exercises into sophisticated multilateral drills, integrating air, surface, and joint-force components similar to larger maneuvers such as RIMPAC. This development underscores the growing strategic weight of Philippine-led exercises in the region and demonstrates the multidomain interoperability achieved with allied partners. By bringing together naval combatants, air assets, and land-based systems in a single operational framework, Exercise ALON 2025 projected both deterrence and preparedness in a maritime theater increasingly defined by competition and confrontation.

The advantages of Exercise ALON are manifold. Unlike past small-scale engagements, the inclusion of advanced assets such as the Aegis-equipped HMAS Brisbane and the modernized Jose Rizal-class frigate provides interoperability training at a standard comparable to NATO exercises. Compared to earlier Philippine-led activities, this integration of high-end naval platforms enhances response capacity against aerial and maritime threats. In comparison to similar drills involving Japan or the United States, ALON highlights the diversification of Manila’s partnerships beyond its traditional treaty ally, broadening strategic flexibility.

Strategically, the implications are significant. Conducted near Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint where Chinese naval and coast guard units frequently attempt to assert control, the exercise demonstrates Manila’s determination to reinforce its presence with allied support. It also sends a deterrent signal to Beijing while reassuring Southeast Asian states that cooperative frameworks are strengthening despite regional tensions. On a geostrategic level, the drills reinforce the Philippines’ role as a frontline state in the broader U.S.-aligned Indo-Pacific security architecture, while giving Australia and Canada a platform to project stability commitments into contested waters.

In terms of resources, Exercise ALON is conducted under the regular defense budgets of the participating navies, allocated to international training and cooperation programs rather than tied to a specific procurement contract. For the Philippine Navy, the exercise complements its broader modernization agenda, which includes the acquisition of Jose Rizal-class frigates from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries and additional surface combatants under development. Australia and Canada frame their participation within their respective Indo-Pacific defense strategies, with Canberra’s growing naval presence in the region directly supported by increased defense spending and commitments associated with AUKUS.

The conclusion of Exercise ALON off Bajo de Masinloc underlines the Philippines’ growing capacity to host and coordinate complex multinational maritime operations in a contested environment. By aligning its forces with those of Australia and Canada, Manila strengthens both deterrence and interoperability while amplifying its diplomatic voice in the South China Sea disputes. Beyond tactical benefits, the drills highlight a strategic shift: the Philippines is no longer relying solely on U.S. guarantees but is actively weaving a wider network of defense partnerships. This posture not only enhances operational readiness but also reinforces the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific, where naval cooperation becomes a shield against coercion in one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.