In a powerful display of regional solidarity, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have launched Exercise Alon 25, the largest-ever joint military drill between the two nations. The exercise runs from 15–29 August 2025 across the strategic islands of Palawan and Luzon, situated at the frontline of the contested South China Sea.

This year’s exercise goes far beyond training, it is a clear message of unity, deterrence, and commitment to international law in a region where tensions with China continue to escalate.

Key Facts About Exercise Alon 25

• Scale: Over 3,600 personnel from the ADF and AFP are directly involved, making it the biggest bilateral exercise since defence ties between the two nations were formalised.
• Assets Deployed:

o   Naval: HMAS Brisbane, a state-of-the-art guided-missile destroyer, leading maritime manoeuvres.

o   Air Power: F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, C-130 transport aircraft and reconnaissance platforms.

o   Land Forces: Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, armoured vehicles, and amphibious forces.

o   Special Forces: Elite units conducting infiltration, counter-terror, and joint urban combat drills.

• International Observers: The U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia are attending as observers, underlining the multinational support for Indo-Pacific security.
• Exercises Conducted: Live-fire drills, beach assaults, amphibious landings, air-sea integration, long-range force projection, and humanitarian assistance simulations.

Why Alon 25 Matters

1. Strategic Context

The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, carrying over $3 trillion in trade annually. It is also a flashpoint for territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and several other nations.

Alon 25 comes shortly after a collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying fears of miscalculation and conflict. Against this backdrop, the exercise demonstrates that Manila is no longer facing these challenges alone, it has the backing of trusted allies.

2. Defence Partnership at New Heights

What began as limited defence cooperation in the early 2000s has now grown into a deep operational partnership. The presence of advanced ADF platforms alongside AFP units highlights growing interoperability, the ability to fight side-by-side in real-world contingencies.

Vice Admiral Justin Jones, ADF’s Chief of Joint Operations, stressed that the drills prove Australia and the Philippines can project force over long distances, counter maritime coercion, and work seamlessly to secure regional stability..

3. Deterrence and Regional Signalling

The scale and sophistication of Alon 25 are being read by analysts as strategic signalling to China. Amphibious landings on Philippine beaches, combined with aerial strike simulations, project a strong deterrence posture, reminding adversaries that the Indo-Pacific is not open for unilateral dominance.

4. Commitment to a Rules-Based Order

Both nations have reiterated that Alon 25 is not offensive in nature. Rather, it seeks to uphold freedom of navigation, state sovereignty, and international law, including the 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping territorial claims. The presence of U.S., Japanese, and other observers reinforces the message that the rules-based order is a shared responsibility.

Regional and Global Implications

• For the Philippines: The exercise boosts confidence in defending its maritime rights while strengthening its role as a key security partner in Southeast Asia.
• For Australia: It signals Canberra’s willingness to expand its security footprint in the Indo-Pacific, complementing its AUKUS commitments and partnerships with ASEAN nations.
• For the Region: With multinational involvement, Alon 25 represents a broader coalition of like-minded states standing up to coercion in the South China Sea.
• For Global Security: Given that one-third of global trade flows through the South China Sea, stability here is not only an Asian concern but a global imperative.

Conclusion

Exercise Alon 25 is more than just a military training operation—it is a symbol of unity, deterrence, and resilience in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific. By bringing together advanced Australian capabilities and the Philippines’ frontline geographical advantage, the drill sends a strong message: the region will not be left vulnerable to unilateral assertiveness.

In the years ahead, such exercises are expected to grow in both scale and complexity, ensuring that collective security and the rules-based maritime order remain intact.