iscover
Australia has joined the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, teaming up with the Philippines and the United States to enhance bilateral cooperation.
The annual exercise is the largest coordinated exercise between the Philippines and the United States, using high-level military training methods to ensure response and readiness.
This year’s run has seen 400 Australian Defence Force members participate, joining other allies, including Canada, France and New Zealand.
Participating Australian Defence Force members were able to train in key sectors of growing defence response, such as air and missile, cyber, and maritime security.
Cyber security as a defence concern has rapidly grown over the past few decades, with exercises like these being critical in ensuring Australia and its allies have the relevant, effective training to respond to cyber threats.
Balikatan’s command-and-control exercise featured a cyber, artificial intelligence component to practice enforcing these goals.
“The Philippines is one of our closest partners and friends, and our defence relationship continues to deepen under our strategic partnership,” Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said.
“Exercise Balikatan reflects the depth of our defence relationship with the Philippines and the United States, and our shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“I am extremely proud of the ADF forces who are enhancing their skills and experience through this exercise, and strengthening people-to-people links with our multinational partners.”
Australia was active in the exercise by providing critical land forces, medical, tactical air, and maritime defence training and expertise.
HMAS Toowoomba was active in this exercise.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.
