The Philippines took part in the Australian-led naval drills– along with 19 other nations–as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) participated for the first time in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. The deployment marks a significant step in strengthening defense ties and enhancing interoperability with regional allies.
The biennial war exercises, hosted by Australia and the United States, gathered around 35,000 troops from across the Indo-Pacific. For the Philippines, this milestone involvement highlights its commitment to closer security cooperation amid evolving regional challenges.
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First-ever AFP participation in Talisman Sabre
This year, the AFP sent 32 personnel as a training audience, representing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. They sailed to Sydney earlier this month to join activities that include live-fire drills, amphibious operations, and multi-domain training.
“This is the first time the AFP sent a training audience in the history of Exercise Talisman Sabre,” the Philippine Army said in a statement.
Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido highlighted the importance of joining the multinational drills. He stated that “These collaborative efforts will play a crucial role in strengthening defense relations and improving cooperation among allied and partner land forces in the broader Indo-Pacific region.”
Strengthening defense ties in the Indo-Pacific
Exercise Talisman Sabre runs from July? 13 to August? 4, with drills held across northern Australia and parts of Papua New Guinea. According to Philstar, the 19 participating nations include Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines, among others.
By joining the largest-ever iteration of these exercises, the Philippines aims to sharpen operational readiness and build trust with regional partners. Military leaders see the move as part of broader efforts to modernize the AFP and reinforce the country’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific.
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