The Australian Army has participated in Exercise Balikatan 2025 with both the Philippines and the United States marine corps. As a part of the exercise, Australian soldiers dug in at the beachfront at Rizal, in the Philippines, practising to turn back a notional invasion.
“Working with the US and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan 25 has been exceptional,” Commanding Officer Battle Group Tiger and 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR), Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan, stated. “It’s demonstrated the professionalism across our forces and our capacity to integrate and work effectively at all levels of command, showcasing the means in which we can work together in the lead-up to high-level warfighting activities.”
This tri-nation display was part of a counter-landing live-fire exercise in Palawan for the exercise. Over numerous days, the multinational battlegroup planned and rehearsed tactical and medical drills to hone interoperability while enduring the jungle heat.
“The counter-landing live fire allows the US, Australian Defence Force and Philippine Marine Corps to get on a live-fire range and work through our defence and how we would notionally protect a beachhead, and exchange tactics and procedures as we go through that process,” Echo Company Commander of the US Marines, Captain Carter Collins, said.
According to Defence, the forces successfully executed the coastal defence mission.
The main event had commenced with a maritime interdiction, which involved Philippine naval assets, shore-based heavy weapons systems, crew-served weapons and guided weapons systems, engaging with approaching notional adversary vessels.
Australia’s contribution to Balikatan 2025 included more than 260 Australian Defence Force (ADF) conventional and special forces from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), exercising tactical air components, coastal defence and security, sustainment, medical support, multinational coordination and humanitarian civic assistance.