Australia and the Philippines Strengthen Military Links
MANILA, Philippines — The South China Sea, the crucial route for over one-third of the world’s trade, faces another simmering crisis. With China stepping up its presence near Philippine-held reefs, Australia and the Philippines are ramping up military ties to levels never seen before.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles landed in Manila on Friday, meeting Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to discuss their growing worries about China’s bold moves. The discussions coincide with the largest joint combat exercises ever held between the two nations, a two-week program involving thousands of troops, armored vehicles, and naval forces to signal that aggression will be met with a strong response.
Australia–Philippines Defense Partnership
The ongoing Exercise Alon—Tagalog for “wave”—runs from August 15–29 and brings together 3,600 troops from both nations. The exercises funnel firepower through the deck of an Australian guided-missile destroyer and the cockpits of F/A-18 fighter jets. C-130 transport aircraft ferry troops and gear, while Javelin anti-tank systems and sniper teams conduct land drills. Later this weekend, Defense Minister Marles will watch a high-tempo mock amphibious assault staged near a western Philippine town that looks across the South China Sea.
After their meeting, Marles and Teodoro will sign a joint statement committing both governments to tighter operational links. Philippine officials say the statement spotlights interoperability, joint deterrence, and long-haul readiness—all aimed at a more secure, stable region.
This agreement represents a landmark shift. Australia, once wary of stretching its presence in South China Sea waters, is now openly bolstering the Philippines—an ally bound to the U.S. by treaty—against Beijing’s maritime expansion.
China’s Objections
Beijing has never wavered in its protests over joint military exercises in the South China Sea. China’s sweeping “nine-dash line” is its claimed boundary for the sea, but the 2016 tribunal ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague found no international legal support for that assertion. China rejected the ruling and has since built artificial islands, fortified military installations, and sent coast guard and militia fleets to patrol the waters.
Joint exercises conducted by the U.S., Australia, the Philippines, and other partners are seen in Beijing as deliberate efforts to curb its influence. Chinese ships and aircraft have frequently shadowed Western vessels, often coming dangerously close. Tokyo, Canberra, and Washington have flagged many encounters as “unsafe,” heightening the probability of an unforeseen escalation.
A Flashpoint: Second Thomas Shoal
The current flashpoint is the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef located firmly within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. In 1999 the Philippine government intentionally beached an old World War II landing ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, at the reef, and since then the rusting vessel has served as a makeshift outpost, home to a small rotating group of marines.
China has repeatedly demanded that the aging ship be moved, but the Philippines will not budge. Philippine military officials regularly resupply the marines aboard the Sierra Madre, often while Chinese vessels attempt to interfere.
This week, tensions rose when China sent five coast guard ships, militia craft, armed speedboats, a helicopter, and a drone to the shoal. Some Chinese boats approached within 50 meters of the Sierra Madre. Filipino personnel aboard the ship worked to prevent further incursions. Rear Adm. Roy Trinidad, a navy spokesperson, called the aggressiveness “concerning,” noting contingency plans have been drawn up.
U.S. Monitoring and Commitments
The Philippines, a close U.S. ally, is not handling the situation alone. American aircraft fly regular missions over the Second Thomas Shoal, and any armed attack on Philippine ships or troops would invoke the 1951 mutual defense pledge between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Scarborough Shoal Collision
The situation at Second Thomas Shoal follows a sharp encounter at Scarborough Shoal. On August 11, Chinese navy and Coast Guard vessels collided while trying to block a Philippine Coast Guard boat. One Chinese ship sustained bow damage, and crew may have been injured. A Philippine vessel narrowly avoided collision and offered assistance, but the Chinese did not respond.
Manila’s Resolve
Despite being surrounded by larger Chinese forces, the Philippines has vowed not to retreat. “In the face of all this pressure and aggression, the order from the commander in chief is simple: We will stand firm against any challenge to our territory and our rights,” Rear Admiral Trinidad said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has deepened security ties with the U.S. and other partners since 2022, opening more military bases to U.S. forces, including a few near Taiwan—a move that drew a strong reaction from Beijing.
Regional Implications
The Australia–Philippines exercises reinforce deterrence across the region. For Canberra, participation demonstrates commitment to the Indo-Pacific strategy of defending the rules-based order. The effort aligns with obligations under the AUKUS security pact, alongside the U.S. and U.K., which emphasizes advanced systems such as nuclear-powered submarines.
For Southeast Asia, the buildup of forces in disputed waters raises unease. ASEAN members worry about being caught between China and a U.S.-led coalition, though Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia quietly welcome Manila’s tougher stance as a counterbalance.
Risks of Escalation
Analysts warn that armed ships on aggressive courses in locations like Second Thomas Shoal create numerous chances for incidents. A minor collision could escalate, drawing in U.S. forces, and potentially sparking broader conflict. The Philippines, bolstered by its U.S. alliance, may respond more forcefully; China, unwilling to appear weak, could escalate in turn.
Looking Ahead
During Exercise Alon, Manila and Canberra emphasize defending international law, freedom of the seas, and Philippine territory. The message also targets domestic audiences, showing resolve amid rising fears.
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Beijing sees skirmishes as part of a slow strategy of pressure without full-scale war. The South China Sea remains a key flashpoint, with Chinese vessels moving closer to Philippine posts and partners increasing military aid. While soldiers conduct drills, the real contest unfolds at sea, with patrol boats, supply vessels, and maritime militias testing each side’s limits.
