Australia to ramp up naval drills with the Philippines amid continuing tensions over the South China Sea

Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced he will pursue stronger military ties with the Philippines.

Australia will ramp up joint security patrols with the Philippines to counter China’s “aggressive” behaviour in the South China Sea.

Defence Minister Richard Marles flew to Manila for talks with his Filipino counterpart Gilberto Teodoro on Friday.

He announced that more than 2,000 Australian and Philippine defence personnel will undergo landing and air assault drills, with two Australian navy vessels conducting bilateral exercises with the Philippine navy.

Mr Marles said this signalled a “very significantly growing defence relationship between our two countries”

“A whole lot of damage can be done to Australia before any potential adversary sets 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,” he told ABC radio.

Richard Marles also visited ADF personnel in Malaysia this week. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Males said most of Australia's trade goes through the South China Sea and upholding international rules is a “shared strategic interest with the Philippines.”

“Under the enhanced defence co-operation program, we are working to broaden the scope of our co-operation and the complexity of our activities,” he said.

He said both Australia and the Philippines were open to conducting more patrols with neighbouring countries.

The announcement came amid a growing diplomatic spat between Manila and Beijing, over sovereignty in the South China Sea.

Australian navy ships, HMAS Canberra and HMAS ANZAC, will conduct bilateral exercises with the Philippine navy. NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

In August, the Philippines began releasing images and videos of Chinese forces using “aggressive” tactics against military ships, including a clip of a Chinese coast guard blowing a water cannon at a Filipino supply boat.

China defended its behaviour by accusing the Philippines of “illegal delivery of construction materials”.

Anthony Albanese will become the first Prime Minister to visit the Philippines in over 20 years when he travels to meet with the country’s president in September.

More officials talks will take place in Australia in 2024.