ADF teams up with Philippines defence force for major assault exercise in South China Sea

Australia has devised a new war plan in a major joint military operation in the South China Sea amid a chilling warning. See video and photos of how it unfolded.

Exclusive: Australia and the Philippines have pledged to have each others’ back in a crisis as their armed forces spectacularly conducted land, air and sea assaults off the South China Sea.

More than 2400 ADF and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel backed by US Marines took part in the first ever joint amphibious exercise, to test their interoperability as a single fighting force.

On Friday the final component of Exercise Alon saw the combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines, the assault launched from HMAS Canberra positioned 3 nautical miles offshore.

The flight deck of HMAS Canberra as a Japanese carrier passes by on the South China Sea. Picture: Supplied

While the exercise had been in the planning for a year, its operation has come at a critical time as Australia and the Philippines discuss the possibility of conducting permanent joint patrols of the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation.

The combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines. Picture: Charles Miranda

Those talks have strengthened in recent weeks as China has actively renewed its sweeping claim over almost the entire body of water, the lifeblood of Australia’s trade route through which 85 per cent of our imports and exports pass.

Richard Marles was present before the assault launched from HMAS Canberra which was positioned three nautical miles offshore.

Such has been the importance of Alon and its timing, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles travelled to Zambales to see the operation.

“We really do conceptualise that our national security and national interest lies beyond our borders,” he said, motioning toward the South China Sea where the exercise took place.

Exercise Alon saw the combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines. Picture: Charles Miranda

Exercise Alon saw the combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines, Picture: Charles Miranda

“It really does lie in this part of the world. That’s because a whole lot of damage can be done to Australia before any potential adversary setting foot on our shores and maintaining the rules-based order in Southeast Asia, maintaining the collective security of Southeast Asia, is fundamental to maintaining the national security of our country and that’s why we’re engaged here.”

The combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines, the assault launched from HMAS Canberra positioned 3 nautical miles offshore. Picture: Charles Miranda

The militaries of Australia and the Philippines have had a close relationship since most of the Royal Australian Navy fleet fought for Filipino liberation during World War 2.

But both armed forces have noted Alon represented a step-up in the relationship, with the combined armies able to mobilise rapidly and effectively operate as a single unit.

Exercise Alon saw the combined armies storm a beach off Zambales in northern Philippines. Picture: Charles Miranda

Australia and the Philippines have discussed the possibility of conducting permanent joint patrols of the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation.

“What we are trying to achieve is a very high level of interoperability at a complex operations level so undertaking amphibious entire force air, sea and land capabilities, space capabilities integrate in each domain to enable to operate efficiency,” ADF Commander of Joint Operations Lt General Greg Bilton said from the Philippines.

“It’s essential to underpin our security and stability which then leads to prosperity and where people are able to grow and prosper and have great prospects then we tend to find our region is secure and stable.

“It is a contingency plan so it’s not an immediate threat we are presented with. Our job is to defend our respective nations so our job is to make sure our military can exercise and operate in a highly effective manner, we like to do that with like-minded partners Philippines is obviously one of them, we work to build that level of interoperability should we confront problems in the future.”

At a later press conference, Mr Marles confirmed there would be joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea as both nations had been keen pursue them for some time. But he would not commit to when saying just “soon”.

Originally published as ADF teams up with Philippines defence force for major assault exercise in South China Sea