Photo credit: AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the Australian Defence Force, kept their presence strong in the West Philippine Sea with a fresh round of joint maritime activities held from April 9 to 12, 2026.

This latest Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) is already the second this year involving the three allies—and the 16th overall—highlighting how defense ties among the Philippines, the US, and Australia continue to deepen amid shared security concerns in the region.

On the Philippine side, the Navy deployed BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20), while the Air Force sent a mix of assets including FA-50 fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, a C-208B, and a Sokol search-and-rescue helicopter. The Philippine Coast Guard also joined the operation, deploying BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702)—a clear sign of a whole-of-nation effort to protect the country’s waters.

Meanwhile, Australia brought in HMAS Toowoomba (FFH156) equipped with an MH-60R helicopter and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The US, for its part, deployed USS Ashland (LSD-48), adding more capability to the joint maritime force.

The exercise covered a wide range of operations—from rendezvous procedures and communication drills to maritime domain awareness activities and tactical ship maneuvers. There were also flyby exercises, night operations, and coordinated formations at sea, all capped off with the formal “Finish Exercise” or FINEX.

One standout moment in this iteration was the transport of key engineering equipment—from Manila Bay to Puerto Princesa, Palawan—aboard USS Ashland. The move demonstrated real-time logistics interoperability between Philippine and US forces, a crucial element in joint operations.

For the AFP, the message is clear: these continued joint activities are about more than drills. They are part of a broader push to strengthen alliances, secure the country’s maritime interests, and help maintain peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.