Finance
Us, Australia, Philippines Hold Second Joint Drills in South China Sea This Year
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 13, 2026
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The U.S., Australia, and the Philippines conducted four‑day maritime drills in the South China Sea from April 9–12, deploying warships, FA‑50 and P‑8A aircraft, and aimed at boosting regional defense amid heightened tensions with China ahead of the expanded Balikatan exercise.
US, Australia, Philippines Strengthen Ties with Second South China Sea Drills in 2024
Joint Maritime Exercises and Regional Security Developments
Overview of the Second Joint Drills
MANILA, April 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. and Australia joined the Philippines for their second joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea this year, amid tensions with China in the disputed waterway.
Details of the Four-Day Drills
The four-day drills from April 9 to 12 brought together warships, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft in a series of coordinated operations to strengthen maritime defence capabilities, the Philippine military said on Monday.
Significance of the Exercises
The exercises underscored the "deepening defence cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional security", it said in a statement.
Military Assets and Participation
The Philippines deployed its FA‑50 fighter jets, while Australia contributed P‑8A Poseidon aircraft and the United States the USS Ashland, a dock landing ship.
Upcoming Balikatan War Games
The drills came ahead of the April 20 opening of the annual large-scale war games called Balikatan - or "shoulder-to-shoulder" - between Manila and Washington, which for the first time will include Japan as a full participant rather than an observer, alongside Australia.
Regional Tensions and Reactions
The Philippines and China have traded accusations over a series of incidents in the South China Sea, including a recent encounter in which Beijing fired flares nL4N40S0OJ at a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft.
China's Response to Joint Military Activities
Beijing has routinely opposed Manila's joint military activities with its allied partners in the South China Sea, saying such drills heighten tensions in the region.
(Reporting by Nestor Corrales; Editing by Kevin Buckland)
Key Takeaways
- •Second trilateral maritime drills in the South China Sea in 2026 signal deepening military coordination among U.S., Australia and Philippines
- •Exercises featured Philippine FA‑50 jets, U.S. USS Ashland, and Australian P‑8A Poseidon, reinforcing multi‑domain interoperability
- •The drills precede the April 20 Balikatan war games, now including Japan as a full participant alongside U.S. and Australia, marking a shift toward broader regional defense cooperation
Frequently Asked Questions about US, Australia, Philippines hold second joint drills in South China Sea this year
1Why did the US, Australia, and Philippines conduct joint drills in the South China Sea?
The joint drills were conducted to strengthen maritime defence capabilities and underscore the deepening defence cooperation among the three nations amid rising tensions with China.
2What military assets were used in the South China Sea exercises?
The Philippines deployed FA-50 fighter jets, Australia contributed P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and the US sent the USS Ashland dock landing ship.
3When did the latest joint maritime exercises take place?
The second joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea were held from April 9 to 12, 2024.
4What is the significance of the upcoming Balikatan war games?
The annual Balikatan exercises will include Japan as a full participant for the first time, indicating expanding defence partnerships in the region.
5How has China responded to these joint military activities?
China has routinely opposed such drills, claiming they increase tensions in the region and recently fired flares at a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft.