Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States have successfully conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone. 

The MCA was conducted from 30-31 October 2025, with the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat participating alongside the Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Aotearoa, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal, United States Navy ship USS Fitzgerald, and a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

This MCA demonstrates the collective commitment of Australia and its partners and allies to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Such activities provide critical opportunities to conduct training and to operate with partner nations at sea, enhancing interoperability and strengthening cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Australia reaffirms the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award is final and legally binding on the parties.

Media note:
Imagery of this activity is available from http://images.defence.gov.au/S20253138