Philippines, Australia to join key military drills for the first time in 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine troops will join Australia's largest military exercise for the first time next year, while the Australian Defense Force will make their debut in Philippine-led war games, both countries' defense chiefs announced Wednesday, November 13.

This was shared in a joint statement by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Minister for Defense Richard Marles, issued after the first-ever defense meeting between both nations in Canberra on Tuesday, November 12.

The Philippines and Australia are deepening their military ties amid China's growing assertiveness in the region. Both defense chiefs reiterated their "serious concern about dangerous conduct by China against vessels from the Philippines" and vowed to work together to uphold regional maritime security, according to the statement. 

During the meeting, Teodoro and Marles also emphasized that all countries must pursue peaceful dispute resolution according to international law and reaffirmed the binding nature of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award. They also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. 

Landmark military exercises for both nations have been set in 2025.

The Philippine military next year will join for the first time Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australia's largest military exercise involving over 30,000 personnel. These biennial drills involve several countries, with the Philippines participating as observer in its last iteration in 2023.

Meanwhile, Australian forces will take part for the first time in Exercise Salaknib in the Philippines. These drills are traditionally held in Luzon and focuses on ground warfare tactics between Philippine and United States forces. 

The ADF will also deploy technical teams to conduct logistics and engineering surveys in the Philippines "to support bilateral training and enhanced interoperability with the Armed Forces of the Philippines." 

Both countries also agreed to enhance Exercise Alon for its second iteration in 2025. These drills — the first bilateral amphibious exercise between the Philippines and Australia — were launched in 2023.

Australia's defense chief also confirmed