West PH Sea: PH, US, Australia hold maritime cooperative exercise

Philippine Navy AW159 helicopter participates in an air patrol as the Australian HMAS Sydney sails during the MMCA on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with counterparts from the United States (US) and Australia, conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Tuesday.

The 9th MCCA was specifically held within the Northern Luzon Command Joint Operational Area, according to AFP.

“The exercise brought together key maritime and air assets from the three partner nations, showcasing a strong commitment to regional security, interoperability, and cooperation in support of a rules-based international order,” the military revealed in a statement on Wednesday.

READ: PH, US air forces hold joint patrol over West Philippine Sea

Among the assets deployed by the AFP were the BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), an AW159 anti-submarine helicopter, three FA-50PH fighter jets, and Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) assets.

Australia’s HMAS Sydney participated in the activity, while the F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, as well as long-range bomber aircraft, were among the assets dispatched by the US.

AFP said the activity consists of the following: communications check exercise, rotary flight operations/vertical replenishment, division tactics, and a photo exercise.

Other activities include air patrols and an anti-submarine warfare exercise.

READ: PH, Japan, US hold maritime cooperative activity in WPS

In a separate statement on Tuesday night, the Philippine Air Force said that its US counterpart conducted air patrols in the WPS.

“The 9th MMCA demonstrates the growing synergy among like-minded partners in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. These exercises are vital in strengthening our collective defense posture and operational readiness,” AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said.

He added that the activity “reaffirms the AFP’s commitment to fostering international cooperation, maintaining maritime security, and safeguarding Philippine sovereignty in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”