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The Australian Defence Force will conduct more than double the number of military training activities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines this year, compared to 2024.
The Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines (JATT-P) program will conduct over 20 training activities and exchanges this year between the Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Established in 2019, JATT-P involves Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) from the ADF conducting training activities in the Philippines and provides support to a range of exercises.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, RAN said the JATT-P program formed part of Australia’s Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program with the Philippines.
“The JATT-P program allows us to continue building the strong people-to-people links that support our deep cooperation in defence and security,” VADM Jones said.
“The Philippines is one of Australia’s most important regional defence partners, and we share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“Our ongoing and deepening interactions with the Philippines signals our commitment to being a major and reliable defence partner in the region.”
Throughout 2025, MTTs will engage with several hundred personnel from the AFP and representatives of the Department of National Defense.
Each MTT will deliver targeted training in a specific skillset, mission, or area of military expertise.
This will allow both nations to develop, enable and sustain joint and service combat proficiency in fields. This includes combined joint planning, fire support, combat engineering, maritime sustainment, aircraft maintenance, intelligence analysis and aviation safety.
Major Lachlan Newham, coordinator for JATT-P, said MTTs vary in size and deliver both field and classroom-based training.
“The 2025 program builds on the success of our previous engagements, encompassing maritime, land and air domains” MAJ Newham said.
“We will also conduct engagement and training in cyber security, as well as logistics and support functions necessary for contemporary operations.
“Our experience of JATT-P has been that it’s an invaluable way for us to share experience and better understand each other’s perspective and our approach to different skill sets.
“A defining feature is the close and genuine personal bonds and trust that invariably forms between our personnel and their Filipino counterparts more broadly.”
