PH, Australia announce doubling military exercises in 2025
The Philippines and Australia will increase their joint military exercises this year by twice as much as last year.
Australia's defense government, in an advisory dated April 7, said the move is aimed at strengthening cooperation and broadening interoperability between troops of both sides as Manila is Canberra's "most important regional defence partners, and we share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."
Expected this year is at least 20 training activities and exchanges between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)—and that is double the number delivered in 2024, Australia said.
"Established in 2019, the Joint Australian Training Team-Philippines (JATTP) involves Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) from ADF conducting training activities in the Philippines and provides support to a range of exercises," it said.
Throughout the year, Australia's mobile training teams will engage with several hundred personnel from the Philippine military as well as representatives of the Department of National Defense (DND).
Each of the training teams will deliver targeted training in a specific skillset, mission, or area of military expertise, according to Australian defense department.
"This will allow both nations to develop, enable and sustain joint and service combat proficiency in fields," it said.
"This includes combined joint planning, fire support, combat engineering, maritime sustainment, aircraft maintenance, intelligence analysis, and aviation safety," it added.
MTTs varied in size and delivered both field and classroom-based training,
according to Major Lachlan Newham, coordinator for JATT-P.
“The 2025 program builds on the success of our previous engagements, encompassing maritime, land and air domains," Newham said.
“We will also conduct engagement and training in cyber security, as well as logistics and support functions necessary for contemporary operations," he added.
Vice Admiral Justin Jones, the chief of joint operations, said the JATT-P program formed part of Australia's Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program with the Philippines.
“The JATT-P program allows us to continue building the strong people-to-people links that support our deep cooperation in defence and security," he said.
"Our ongoing and deepening interactions with the Philippines signals our commitment to being a major and reliable defence partner in the region," he added.