A pair of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft have completed a deployment to the Philippines.

The aircraft were deployed from 31 January to 21 February 2026, and conducted missions over the South China Sea.

The deployment included flying missions in support of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Anzac Class frigate HMAS Toowoomba during its Regional Presence Deployment.

RAAF P-8A aviators worked with Toowoomba, as well as vessels and aircraft from the United States and Philippines, during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity west of Luzon over 15-16 February 2026.

Senior members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also had the opportunity to fly on board a RAAF P-8A, partnering to build a combined understanding of maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities (ISR).

During the deployment, RAAF P-8A aviators conducted a subject matter exchange with members of the Philippine Air Force, focusing on maritime ISR operations.

The Australian Defence Force regularly deploys P-8A Poseidons to the Philippines, as well as other aircraft and vessels, to build our maritime domain awareness and working relationship with one another.

This deployment marked the first operational employment of the recently re-established No 12 Squadron, working alongside No 11 Squadron to operate the P-8A Poseidon together on joint operations.

Quotes attributable to Joint Force Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Peter Robinson:

“The Philippines is one of Australia’s most important regional defence partners, and we share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

 “Our partnership is underpinned by long-standing defence cooperation, and deployments to the Philippines build those relationships at the aviator-level.

“RAAF P-8A missions build maritime domain awareness and make positive contributions to regional security.

“Australia’s prosperity depends on a region free from conflict or military coercion.

“P-8A missions are conducted in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“The Poseidon forms part of the RAAF’s fleet of surveillance aircraft, and is capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and ISR missions.”

Media note
Imagery of this activity is available from https://images.defence.gov.au/S20260290

More information about RAAF P-8As is available from https://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/p-8a-poseidon