An Australian contingent including HMAS Perth and Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Philippines for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security Joint Cooperative Activity. This was an ASEAN-led training activity held from September 20 to 26 within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Royal Australian Navy participated in this ASEAN Joint Cooperative Activity alongside ADMM-Plus partners. Australia’s support to the Joint Cooperative Activity reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to ASEAN-centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture. 

HMAS Perth participated in the ASEAN Joint Cooperative Activity sea phase alongside regional and international partners, demonstrating Australia’s commitment to strengthen regional resilience, enhance maritime security cooperation and contribute to a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The activity demonstrates our collective commitment to strengthen the ASEAN-led regional architecture, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. It builds mutual understanding and interoperability between nations and armed forces.

Australia’s participation supports the right to freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.