Amid a backdrop of rising regional tensions and evolving security alliances, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) staged a dramatic display of firepower and cooperation on August 27, 2025, at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. The event, a combined arms live-fire drill, was a centerpiece of Exercise Amphibious Land Operation (ALON) 2025, marking the largest and most complex iteration of the bilateral defense exercise since its inception in 2023, as reported by GMA Integrated News and other outlets.
Over 3,600 troops from the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Canada participated in this historic exercise, which unfolded just north of Manila—close enough to the South China Sea to send a clear signal about the region’s shifting security landscape. According to coverage by the Philippine Air Force Public Affairs Office, this was the largest joint military exercise ever held on Philippine soil.
The exercise, which began on August 15, was conducted across the joint operational area of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command and Western Command. Of the participants, around 700 represented the Philippine Army, including a significant contingent of 300 soldiers from the 84th Infantry Battalion. The operation’s scale and scope underscored not just the growing military cooperation between the Philippines and Australia, but also the deepening partnerships with the United States and Canada.
The live-fire drills at Fort Magsaysay showcased a formidable array of modern weaponry and military technology. The Philippine Army rolled out its self-propelled ATMOS 155mm battery, a key asset in long-range precision strikes. The Australian Army, meanwhile, demonstrated the capabilities of its M777A2 155mm howitzers, supported by an impressive lineup of equipment: Australian Light Armored Vehicles, Javelin Anti-Tank Missile Launchers, MK47 Grenade Launchers, M2 QCB Machine Guns, Blazer 2 Sniper Rifles, AW50F Anti-Material Rifles, and Mag58 General Purpose Machine Guns.
Philippine air power was also on full display. The Philippine Air Force deployed A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, Navy and Air Force AW-109 helicopters, and the T-129 ATAK helicopter gunship to provide simulated close air support. The Royal Australian Air Force contributed its own assets, including the formidable FA-18F Super Hornet fighter jets. According to Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, some aerial maneuvers were aborted for safety reasons, but he emphasized, “Our pilots are trained and our platforms are designed to perform combat maneuvers and deliver munitions even during inclement weather. For this exercise, the pilot decided to abort the live fire in the interest of safety, but in real-world conditions these systems can deliver.”
The live-fire training, conducted at Fire Base in Barangay Canantong—about 11 kilometers from the forward operating area—aimed to test the integration of fire support from both armies under realistic battlefield conditions. Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, commanding general of the Philippine Army, told reporters, “Even in bad weather or in actual combat, these systems can fire effectively. What we are really working on here is interoperability—how to plan and execute joint scenarios with our Australian counterparts.” He further noted that the exercise emphasized not only equipment compatibility, but also command-and-control, communications, and combat readiness.
For the Australian Defence Force, the deployment was especially significant. Lt. Col. Andrew Raven, commanding officer of the 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and commander of Battlegroup Ram, highlighted, “This shows we can deploy a combat-ready and combat-capable force within the Indo-Pacific to assist a security partner such as the Philippines.” He pointed out that this was the largest airlift of Australian combat forces since the 1999 East Timor mission, underscoring Australia’s commitment to regional security and its readiness, honed through recent combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The AFP contributed not only artillery and ground forces but also 14 aircraft and around 160 personnel across different phases of the drill. The exercise was not limited to ground and air components. Naval forces from the Philippines, Australia, and Canada also concluded a multilateral exercise east of Bajo de Masinloc. Warships BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), HMAS Brisbane (DDG41), and HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH332) conducted air defense exercises to counter simulated aerial threats, along with a photo exercise that showcased precision formation sailing.
Earlier, over the weekend preceding the live-fire drill, Filipino, Australian, and Canadian forces simulated retaking territory captured by an unnamed enemy country in the town of San Vicente, Palawan. This scenario, while not naming any specific adversary, appeared to reflect growing concerns over the security environment in the West Philippine Sea, a region where tensions have simmered in recent years.
Lt. Gen. Cordura explained that these drills tie directly into the military’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which aims to ensure the Philippines can project forces and operate effectively within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. “That is actually the essence of our comprehensive archipelagic defense concept. To allow the major services to have this initiative, to have this ingenuity and the cognizance that we need to project forces and operate within the 220th EZ,” Cordura stated.
Lt. Gen. Nafarrete also highlighted the importance of advancing cyber, communications, and command-and-control capabilities: “We are sharpening these capacities so that we speak the same language with like-minded nations such as the Australian Defence Force.” This focus on interoperability and technical integration is seen as vital for responding to modern security challenges, where seamless coordination can make all the difference.
According to Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Exercise ALON 2025 represents the largest drill ever undertaken by Australian forces outside their country. The significance of this milestone is not lost on policymakers. The Philippines and Australia are expected to sign a new defense cooperation agreement in 2026, which will include the establishment of facilities for joint exercises—further cementing their strategic partnership.
The joint exercises come at a time of heightened attention to security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The presence of the United States and Canada as exercise participants adds another layer of strategic depth, reflecting shared interests in maintaining stability and upholding international norms in the region. While the exercises themselves are routine, their scale and complexity this year send a message that the Philippines and its allies are prepared to cooperate closely in the face of evolving security threats.
As the dust settles at Fort Magsaysay and the participating troops move on to their next assignments, the legacy of Exercise ALON 2025 is likely to be felt for years to come. The drills have not only demonstrated formidable military capability, but also reinforced the bonds between the Philippines, Australia, and their partners—laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration in a region where unity and preparedness are more crucial than ever.
