Philippines holds naval drills with US, Australia

Army Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, a military spokesman, said the second MMCA underscores "the deepening defense cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional security."

Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) conducted an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Manning Exercise during the division tactics and maneuvering drills alongside partner vessels as part of the MMCA last April 13, 2026. Photo by Edward Bungubung, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Manuel Mogato | April 13, 2026

MANILA — A United States Navy warship transported four Philippine Navy engineering equipment from the capital Manila to Puerto Princesa in Palawan in actual logistics operations during a four-day joint naval exercise among Australia, the Philippines, and the United States.

A payloader, a telescopic crane, and two concrete mixers, equipment from the Philippine Navy’s construction brigade were loaded in the US Navy dock landing ship, USS Ashland (LSD-48) and brought to Palawan, Army Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, a military spokesman, said.

Trinidad said the equipment transfer was a demonstration of the naval logistics interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations to ensure maritime security, protect national interests, and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” Trinidad said, in a statement.

He said the actual logistics cooperation was the highlight of the four-day multilateral maritime activity (MMCA) among Australia, the Philippines, and the United States to sustain presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Trinidad said this was the second MMCA this year with the Philippines, the United States, and Australia, and the 16th overall conduct of the activity, “underscoring the deepening defense cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional security.”

During the exercise, the Philippines deployed the Navy’s South Korean-built Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20), while Australia sent its guided-missile frigate, HMAS Toowoomba (FFH156) with an MH-60R helicopter and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and the USS Ashland.

The Philippine Air Force deployed several aircraft, including FA-50 fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano, C-208B, and a Sokol search and rescue helicopter.

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed its 98-meter patrol ship, BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702).

The three allies practiced replenishment at sea approach (RASAP), rendezvous procedures, Communications Exercise (COMMEX), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) activities, division tactics/Officer of the Watch maneuvers, flyby exercise, photo exercise, night steaming in company, screen exercise, and farewell pass. The activity concluded with the official declaration of Finish Exercise (FINEX).