PH, Australia, Canada hold joint sea drills

The Mutual Cooperative Activity (MCA) was designed to enhance interoperability and coordination between the participating navies by practicing communication, domain awareness, and tactical maneuvers at sea.

The Philippine Navy deployed its flagship, the guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal. The Australian navy was represented by the HMAS Brisbane, and Canadian navy by the HMCS Ville de Quebec.

The exercise featured helicopter cross-deck landings, personnel transfers via the MH-60 Seahawk, rigid-hulled inflatable boats and ship-to-ship interoperability drills.

The AFP said the activity showcases the three countries’ resolve to “uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific” as well as their commitment to promote freedom of navigation, regional stability, and collective maritime security.

The Philippines and Australia on Friday further strengthened their defense partnership by agreeing to come up with a defense cooperation agreement next year.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles held the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers Meeting in Makati City where they reaffirmed the strategic partnership between their countries.

Marles said Australia will build military infrastructure projects in unspecified locations in the country.

PH, Australia, Canada hold joint sea drills

Teodoro said the agreement with Australia will not be like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which grants US troops access to specific Philippine military bases and the right to build infrastructures but not a permanent base.