PH, Australian troops conduct live fire drills in ALON 2025

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defence Force (ADC) on Thursday conducted live fire drills on Thursday at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija as part of the ongoing Exercise Amphibious Land Operation (ALON) 2025. 

As part of the training, the Philippine Army employed a self-propelled ATMOS 155mm battery while the Australian Army demonstrated its M777A2 155mm howitzers, Australian Light Armored Vehicle, Javelin Anti-Tank Missile Launchers, MK47 Grenade Launchers, M2 QCB Machine Guns, Blazer 2 Sniper Rifles, AW50F Anti-Material Rifles and Mag58 General Purpose Machine Guns. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force flexed their fixed and rotary-wing assets to provide simulated close air support to the forces on the ground during the drills. 

More than 3,600 troops from the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Canada are participating in the exercises that started last August 15 and are being conducted in the joint operational area of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command and Western Command. 

Of the said participants, around 700 are military personnel from the Philippine Army, which includes 300 soldiers from the 84th Infantry Battalion. 

Over the weekend, Filipino, Australian and Canadian forces simulated retaking territory captured by an unnamed enemy country in the town of San Vicente in Palawan.

The Exercise ALON 2025 is the largest drill to be participated by Australian forces outside their country, according to Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles

The Philippines and Australia are expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement next year, which will also include the establishment of facilities for joint exercises between the defense forces of two countries. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News