The Philippines and Australia renewed their commitment to maintaining their “strong” defense and security relations to address shared security challenges and enhance regional peace and stability.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. and newly installed Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Admiral David Johnston made the vow during a video teleconference on Thursday, July 18.
“The discussion highlighted the mutual benefits of sustained cooperation and the shared goal of promoting peace and security in the region,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, said.
During their call, Brawner and Johnston also pledged to work closely on various initiatives aimed at further enhancing existing military cooperation activities between the two forces.
Johnston has assumed as the top ADF officer this month after taking over from the longest-serving head of the Australian military, General Angus John Campbell, who retired on July 10.
The AFP expects that the assumption of Johnston will further improve the defense and military ties of the two countries.
In April, the Philippines conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) with Australia, United States and Japan in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The quad sail helped the AFP in enhancing the maritime domain awareness (MDA) in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is also participating in the ongoing Pitch Black Exercise 2024, a premier multinational air combat exercise, in Darwin, Australia.
On the first day of the drills on July 12, two of the PAF's FA-50PH aircraft, known for their agility and advanced capabilities, flew alongside two Royal Australian Air Force F-18 Hornets for Basic Fighter Maneuver (BFM) exercise.
Subsequently, the PAF's FA-50s also flew alongside the Indonesian Air Force's F-16s for another BFM exercise on July 16. This was followed by a Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics (DACT) exercise with the PAF's FA-50s flying alongside the Royal Thai Air Force's JAS-39 Gripen.