Australia and the Philippines conclude force projection training at Exercise Alon 25

Exercise Alon 25 concluded successfully in the Philippines today, strengthening the security partnership between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Alon 25, the ADF’s largest overseas exercise this year, involved approximately 3,600 participants, including 1,600 ADF personnel training together between 15 and 29 August.

The exercise involved ADF and AFP cooperation across land, sea, air and special operations, essential support from cyber and space elements, and participation from the United States Marine Corps and Royal Canadian Navy.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, said the exercise was a milestone in Australia’s defence relationship with the Philippines.

“Alon 2025 successfully provided the environment for the ADF and AFP to conduct realistic, high-end warfighting training, and allowed the ADF to practice force projection and multi-domain freedom of manoeuvre with a key regional partner,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“It was an exercise built on the military experience and cooperation between our countries, and we witnessed integration at previously unseen levels.”

“This ranged from the people-to-people links between our soldiers, sailors and aviators, through to exercising information-sharing and decision-making processes during operations.”

Alon 25 involved the deployment of an ADF Joint Task Force Headquarters to the Philippines, working with the AFP’s Western Command Headquarters in Palawan for the first time.

A C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules aircraft carried 375 personnel and more than 357 tonnes of equipment for an Australian Army Battle Group, across 13 flights, to the Philippines to enable integration and live-fire training with the Philippine Army in Luzon. 

Alon 25 also involved an amphibious landing activity in Palawan, which was supported by Australian Army and Philippine Marine Corps units.

Live-fire activities were conducted in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea as part of the exercise. These activities involved a Maritime Task Group, with ships from Australia, the Philippines and Canada, and an Air Task Group with combat aircraft from Australia and the Philippines. 

These activities were aligned with best practice through official notices to mariners and airmen and communicated through civil engagement channels by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This experience shapes how Australia and the Philippines can work together in the future to support regional security and address common security challenges,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“All countries in the Indo-Pacific have a vital role, and interest, in maintaining a region where state sovereignty is protected, international law is followed, and nations can make decisions, free from coercion.”

Media note

More information about the exercise is available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/exercises/alon. 

Media can access imagery at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20251939. 

File video of this exercise is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20251939V.