Australia and the Philippines have announced that their militaries will carry out a joint maritime activity. This exercise will also include forces from Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. It will take place in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a region that includes some of Asia’s most sensitive sites. These countries are coming together to strengthen their cooperation and ensure regional peace and stability.
Joint Maritime Exercise in the Philippines
The announcement of this joint military exercise highlights the growing collaboration among these nations. According to Australia’s Department of Defence, the purpose of the exercise is to improve cooperation between the countries’ armed forces and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia is deploying its Navy ship, HMAS Sydney, along with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, to participate in the operation. The exercise will focus on boosting the ability of these nations to work together effectively. This level of cooperation is critical, as tensions continue to rise in areas like the South China Sea.
Growing Tensions in the South China Sea
This exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The Philippines and China have had multiple encounters in the air and at sea. Both countries claim parts of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, which has been controlled by China’s coast guard for more than 10 years. The South China Sea is one of the world’s most contested areas, and disputes over who controls it have led to conflicts among several countries.
Recently, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels passed through the Taiwan Strait, which is part of the South China Sea. This was seen as a move to show Australia’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The Taiwan Strait is a crucial trade route, with about half of the world’s container ships passing through it. China claims sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, while both the United States and Taiwan view it as international waters. This difference in perspective is a source of ongoing tension between China and several other countries.
The South China Sea is claimed almost entirely by China, even though other countries like Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam also have competing claims. These disputes have caused friction among these neighboring nations, who rely on these waters for trade and natural resources.
Commitment to Freedom of Navigation
The Philippines is hosting the fourth joint maritime exercise in its Exclusive Economic Zone, known as the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). These exercises emphasise the commitment of the participating countries to ensure freedom of navigation and the lawful use of international waters and airspace. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have stated that the activities will follow international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which sets the legal framework for the use of the world’s oceans and seas.
This ongoing cooperation among the five nations highlights their shared interest in keeping the region stable and peaceful. The AFP emphasized that the joint activities will focus on enhancing cooperation between the different militaries, ensuring they can work together effectively during operations. The goal is to protect the right to navigate and fly over these waters, as well as to respect each other’s maritime rights.
The first MMCA took place in April in the West Philippine Sea. It is a part of the Philippines’ EEZ. The second and third joint maritime activities were held in June and August. Along with the Royal Canadian Navy joining the operation in those instances. Each of these exercises has further solidified the commitment of these nations to work together. And to ensure the peaceful use of the sea and airspace in this sensitive area.
Future Collaboration of Joint Exercises
The Philippines and Japan will also hold joint training exercises, called Doshin-Bayanihan, in early October. These exercises will focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). Both countries will be deploying C-130 cargo aircraft for the drills. It will take place at an airbase in Cebu. This training will include simulated flights, load/offload training, and medical evacuation exercises.
There is a growing collaboration between the Philippines and Japan. Along with the broader multilateral cooperation. This demonstrates the increasing importance of unity among nations in ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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