Amphibious Warship HMAS Canberra Conducts Drills in the Philippines Amidst South China Sea Tensions

The Australian amphibious warship HMAS Canberra has arrived in the Philippines to participate in Exercise Alon 2023, the first-ever bilateral amphibious drill between the two countries. The drills involve training exercises with the Australian Defense Forces (ADF), Filipino counterparts, and U.S. Marine Corps aviation. The exercises include aerial assaults, amphibious drills, and live-fire exercises across the Philippine archipelago. The Australian-Philippine defense relationship is strong, with Australia providing support beyond training, such as intelligence during the 2017 Battle of Marawi. The visit comes amidst tensions in the South China Sea, with the Philippines asserting its sovereignty and planning another resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.