Amid rising geopolitical friction in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Australia have conducted their largest joint military exercise to date, signaling a deepening alliance aimed at bolstering regional security. The drill, known as Exercise Alon, unfolded in San Vicente, Palawan, with over 3,600 personnel simulating the recapture of an enemy-held island, a scenario reflective of the strategic challenges in the disputed maritime region.
The exercise, which ran from August 15 to 29, highlighted the growing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces while drawing attention to broader concerns over a rules-based international order. As tensions with China escalate, this display of military cooperation underscores a shared commitment to maintaining stability in one of the world’s most contested waterways.
A Show of Force on Land, Sea, and Air
The operation in Palawan was a striking demonstration of combined military prowess. Philippine and Australian troops launched an amphibious assault from small boats, storming the beach under the cover of colored smoke from grenades, replicating the intensity of a real combat scenario. Overhead, aircraft from both nations, including Australia’s Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers and the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 jets, provided critical close air support, showcasing their ability to dominate the skies in a complex operational theater. 
Simultaneously, at a nearby airfield, US Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys and Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopters executed troop insertions to secure a mock-threatened airstrip. This element of the drill emphasized rapid response and tactical coordination, essential skills for addressing sudden crises in the region. Naval forces also played a pivotal role, with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal, Australia’s HMAS Brisbane, and Canada’s HMCS Ville de Québec engaging in joint maritime maneuvers, highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation in securing vital sea lanes.
The scale of Exercise Alon, the largest iteration of this annual collaboration, was further amplified by a planned live-fire demonstration on August 27 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, northern Luzon. Observers from the United States, Canada, and Indonesia were present, underscoring the international interest in this partnership and its implications for regional security dynamics.
Shared Values and Strategic Goals
The exercise comes at a critical juncture as both nations navigate an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. Philippine National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles oversaw parts of the drill, emphasizing its significance in fostering military interoperability and reinforcing shared values. Marles articulated the broader message behind the exercise, stating, “The message that we want to convey to the region and to the world through an exercise of this kind is that we are two countries committed to the global rules-based order. We are committed to an idea of a world in which disputes are determined by reference to international law.”
He further highlighted the pressures facing this order, noting, “Peace is maintained through the protection of deployable rules-based order and its functionality around the world, and in truth around the world today we see it under pressure.” This rhetoric reflects a clear intent to counterbalance actions perceived as challenges to international norms, particularly in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have fueled tensions for decades.
Teodoro echoed these sentiments, stressing the practical benefits of such exercises beyond military preparedness. He pointed to the potential for joint action in humanitarian crises, such as typhoons, which frequently devastate the Philippines. The ability to mobilize quickly and effectively in such scenarios, he argued, is a direct outcome of the training and coordination exemplified by Exercise Alon.
Future Plans and Regional Implications
In a joint statement, Marles and Teodoro revealed plans to initiate joint patrols in the South China Sea, with the Australian defense chief indicating that these could commence in the near future. This development marks a significant escalation in their military collaboration, potentially increasing their presence and influence in the disputed waters. Such patrols would serve as a visible assertion of their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, principles often contested in the region.
The drills and the prospective patrols are set against a backdrop of heightened friction with China, which has repeatedly criticized the Philippines’ military engagements with foreign partners as provocative. Beijing’s expanding maritime activities, including the construction of artificial islands and the deployment of coast guard vessels near disputed reefs, have drawn international concern. Teodoro dismissed China’s accusations as unfounded, labeling them as paranoia and propaganda, and reiterated the Philippines’ sovereign right to strengthen defense ties with allies.
The timing of Exercise Alon also aligns with ongoing negotiations for a new defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Australia. This pact aims to institutionalize more frequent joint exercises and enhance operational readiness to address regional challenges. If finalized, it could pave the way for an even closer strategic partnership, potentially drawing other nations into a broader security network aimed at countering destabilizing influences in the Indo-Pacific.
South China Sea: A Flashpoint for Conflict
The South China Sea remains a critical flashpoint, with trillions of dollars in annual trade passing through its waters and vast untapped energy reserves lying beneath its seabed. China claims nearly the entire sea under its controversial Nine-Dash line a delineation rejected by an international tribunal in 2016. Despite the ruling, Beijing has continued to assert its dominance, often clashing with smaller claimant states like the Philippines and Vietnam over fishing rights, resource exploration, and territorial control.
For the Philippines, these tensions have direct consequences. Incidents involving Chinese vessels harassing Filipino fishermen or blocking resupply missions to outposts like the Second Thomas Shoal have heightened domestic calls for a stronger military posture. The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a more assertive stance compared to its predecessor, actively seeking partnerships with countries like Australia, the United States, and Japan to bolster its defenses.
Australia, while not a claimant in the South China Sea, views the region as vital to its national interests due to its proximity and the importance of maintaining open trade routes. Canberra’s involvement in exercises like Alon and its broader Indo-Pacific strategy reflect a growing willingness to play a more active role in regional security, often in alignment with the policies of its key ally, the United States.
Broader Multilateral Engagement
The participation of observers from the United States, Canada, and Indonesia in Exercise Alon points to a wider multilateral interest in the stability of the South China Sea. The involvement of Canadian naval assets in the maritime component of the drill further illustrates how nations beyond the immediate region are investing in cooperative security measures. This trend aligns with frameworks like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising the US, Australia, Japan, and India, which seeks to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
For Indonesia, a non-claimant but influential ASEAN member, observing such exercises offers insights into the evolving security architecture of the region. Jakarta has its own concerns about Chinese encroachments near the Natuna Islands, and its presence at Exercise Alon may signal a subtle shift toward greater engagement with like-minded partners on maritime security issues.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While Exercise Alon represents a milestone in Philippines-Australia relations, it also raises questions about the sustainability of such intensive military collaborations. Budgetary constraints, domestic political pressures, and the risk of escalation with China are all factors that could complicate future endeavors. For the Philippines, balancing its security needs with diplomatic efforts to manage tensions with Beijing remains a delicate task.
Moreover, the effectiveness of joint patrols and exercises in deterring aggressive actions in the South China Sea is not guaranteed. Critics argue that without a unified ASEAN position or broader international consensus, such bilateral and trilateral initiatives may only serve to heighten tensions rather than resolve them. Yet, proponents counter that visible demonstrations of unity and capability are essential to upholding international law and preventing unilateral actions from becoming the norm.
As the Philippines and Australia chart the next steps in their defense partnership, their actions will undoubtedly be watched closely by both allies and adversaries. The commitment to a rules-based order, as articulated by Marles and Teodoro, faces significant tests in the coming years. Whether this alliance can translate military cooperation into lasting regional stability remains an open question, one that will shape the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific for decades to come.
