Australian, Phl troops showcase interoperability in defense exercise
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
By Rhaydz Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY --- For weeks, Australian and Philippine forces jointly conducted Exercise KASANGGA 2026 in Camarines Sur, showcasing their bilateral efforts to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, and combined arms operations in the region.
Yesterday, the Australian Army (AUSA) and troops from the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division demonstrated territorial defense capabilities through a war scenario simulation, where successive gunfire reverberated across the coastal area of Sitio Mainit, Barangay Balogo, Pasacao, Camarines Sur. The two forces conducted a live-fire exercise under Exercise KASANGGA 2026 on June 17.
Army Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said the exercise highlighted interagency cooperation, with the local government unit supporting the evacuation and safety management of civilians affected by the simulated conflict scenario.
“The scenario highlighted the participating forces’ coordination, readiness, and operational effectiveness across the land, air, and maritime domains. According to the leadership of the 9th Infantry Division, exercises such as KASANGGA are essential in enhancing the country’s capability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Roldan said.
He added that the Australian Army’s participation aims to share knowledge, expertise, and operational experience in territorial defense while supporting the Philippines’ ongoing transition from addressing internal security concerns to strengthening preparedness for external defense challenges.
Prior to the exercise, the 9th Infantry Division coordinated closely with the local government unit of Pasacao to ensure public safety.
Residents living near the exercise area were temporarily relocated, while fishing activities within the designated exercise zone were suspended during the conduct of the joint exercises between the Australian Army and Philippine troops.
“The successful execution of the live-fire exercise underscores the growing defense cooperation and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force. Exercise KASANGGA 2026 is scheduled to conclude on June 19,” Roldan said.
Troops from the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division and the Australian Army formally opened the Philippines-Australia Army-to-Army Exercise (PAAAE) “KASANGGA” 2026-1 in Camarines Sur last month.
The month-long bilateral exercise, conducted in partnership with the Australian Army (AUSA), runs from May 17 to June 21, 2026, and aims to strengthen interoperability, enhance command-and-control capabilities, and improve combined arms operations between Philippine and Australian forces.
The exercise gathers personnel from the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and the Australian Army to undertake a series of foundational training activities, field exercises, and mission-planning operations designed to improve coordination and operational readiness in various military disciplines.
Participating Philippine Army units include the 83rd Infantry Battalion, 9th Division Training School, 565th Combat Engineer Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Battalion, and the 21st Cavalry Company. The Australian Army deployed 86 personnel for the exercise, while additional participants from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy also joined the training activities.
Roldan said the defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia underscores the commitment of both nations to regional security, stability, and military cooperation.
Major General Aldwine I. Almase, commanding general of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, underscored the significance of the exercise in enhancing the operational capabilities of participating troops and fostering stronger professional relationships between allied forces.
“In today’s increasingly complex and rapidly evolving security environment, the challenges we face are no longer limited to conventional threats. Modern warfare has become dynamic, unpredictable, and multidimensional, requiring interoperability, adaptability, innovation, and, above all, strong and reliable partnerships,” Almase said.
The first “KASANGGA” Exercise was conducted in the Bicol Region in November 2024, marking a significant milestone in the growing defense cooperation between the Philippine Army and the Australian Army.
Roldan said the successful conduct of the initial exercise paved the way for expanded training engagements and a strengthened military partnership between the two allied nations.
Training activities throughout the exercise include intelligence operations, movement and maneuver, fire support, civil-military operations, sustainment, medical operations, jungle warfare, and force protection.
“The Philippines-Australia Army-to-Army Exercise ‘KASANGGA’ reflects the continuing efforts of both armies to enhance defense cooperation and strengthen their capability to respond effectively to evolving security challenges and humanitarian contingencies,” Roldan said.
Comments