Philippine, Australian, Canadian navals depart for ALON 2025 drills off Scarborough Shoal

On Wednesday, August 27, naval units from the Philippines, Australia, and Canada departed El Nido, Palawan, for Exercise ALON 2025, which concluded with drills off Scarborough Shoal to practice countering simulated aerial threats.

The Philippine Navy's guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal, Australian guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane, and Canadian guided missile frigate HMCS Ville de Québec participated in air defense and photo exercises, enhancing their capabilities for joint sails in the West Philippine Sea.

This year’s Exercise ALON is the largest yet, involving over 3,600 personnel from the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Canada across Palawan, the West Philippine Sea, and Northern Luzon.

The activities featured an air defense exercise that honed participants' capability to counter simulated aerial threats through coordinated defensive measures, as well as a photo exercise showcasing precision formation sailing and multinational naval professionalism.

Wednesday's drills came two weeks after Chinese vessels nearly collided while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard ship near Scarborough Shoal, underscoring tensions in the region.