Defence concluded its largest overseas exercise for 2025 with the successful completion of Exercise Alon 25 in the Philippines. The exercise ran from 15 to 29 August, and involved personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) training together at multiple locations across the islands of Palawan and Luzon.
Strengthening Regional Security Partnerships
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, RAN, said Exercise Alon 25 demonstrated the strength of the Australian–Philippines security partnership.
“We’re proud to conduct our largest overseas exercise with the Philippines, and continue to build on our close cooperation,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“Exercise Alon 25 is an opportunity for us to practise how we collaborate and respond to shared security challenges, and project force over great distances in the Indo-Pacific.”
“This exercise reflects Australia’s commitment to working with partners to ensure we maintain a region where state sovereignty is protected, international law is followed, and nations can make decisions free from coercion.”
A Multinational Effort Across All Domains
More than 3,600 personnel participated in Exercise Alon 25, including members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps’ Marine Rotation Force – Darwin.
From its first iteration in 2023, Exercise Alon expanded significantly in 2025 to incorporate training across the maritime, sea and air domains, with essential support from the cyber and space domains.
ADF participation included an Australian Amphibious Force Joint Task Force Headquarters, the Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Brisbane, an Army combined Arms Land Task Group, and an Air Task Group consisting of Super Hornets, Growlers, and Hercules aircraft.
Joint Force Projection and Amphibious Operations
Exercise Alon 25 saw the ADF practise its joint force projection capabilities through the mass airlift of an Army battle group, comprising armoured, engineering, health, and artillery elements.
Participating nations also conducted amphibious landing operations and maritime manoeuvres.
“The value of this training comes from the people-to-people links and the opportunity to exchange practices when we conduct an Exercise of this scale,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“We will come away from Exercise Alon 25 with experience that will enhance our interoperability with the Philippines, and ensure that we can work together in support regional security.”
Live-Fire Training and Public Safety
Exercise Alon 25 included live-fire exercises at military training ranges and in designated maritime areas. These activities were conducted with due regard to the safety of participants and the wider community, including responsible advance public notification, while ensuring maximum training value.
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