Australia, Canada, and the Philippines carried out joint naval and air defense exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, deploying warships, aircraft, and a heavy-lift helicopter. The drills aimed to enhance coordinated defense capabilities, counter aerial threats, and strengthen ties among allied nations, Al Jazeera reported.
The exercises marked the conclusion of Exercise ALON 2025, Australia’s largest military drill with the Philippines, involving over 3,600 personnel and 15 days of live-fire maneuvers.
Scarborough Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, remains a sensitive flashpoint. Earlier this month, Chinese naval vessels collided while attempting to block a Philippine coastguard ship. China continues to assert control despite international rulings limiting its claims, according to Al Jazeera.
