HomeIndustry NewsPhilippines and Australia Joint Military Training Program Strengthens Defence Ties
Philippines and Australia Joint Military Training Program Strengthens Defence Ties
Gunners from the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, alongside Gunners from the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment during the Artillery exchange under the Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines 2025.
The Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) Program is reinforcing the defence relationship between Australia and the Philippines, reaching the halfway point for 2025.
Since its establishment in 2019, JATT-P has expanded the number of exchange activities between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Mobile Training Teams Strengthen AFP Capabilities
JATT-P activities often involve ADF Mobile Training Teams deploying to the Philippines to conduct subject matter expert exchanges or provide specialised training in areas critical to military operations. In 2025, the program focuses on enhancing the AFP’s capacity for territorial defence.
Australian and Philippine Army sappers move sandbags during joint training at Camp Kibaritan in Northern Mindanao.
The expanded program includes exchanges in key Indo-Pacific security roles, such as:
Combat engineering
Deployed air traffic control operations
Artillery and joint fires
Airfield damage repair and survey assessment
Australia and the Philippines are also collaborating on infantry tactics, land operations, military public affairs, and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) techniques.
Building Interoperability and Defence Partnerships
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, RAN, highlighted the program’s role in improving interoperability:
“JATT-P’s value is in combined operations and exercises, and the knowledge and relationships we’ve built, that are delivering results in the field.”
He added that Exercise Alon 25, scheduled for August in the Philippines, will demonstrate the benefits of joint military training, preparing both forces to address shared security challenges in the region.
“JATT-P goes beyond sharing techniques and practices, as it fosters trust between Australia and the Philippines at the individual and organisational levels, further strengthening our defence partnership.”
Australian Army Sapper Ethan Powell instructs Philippine Army sappers in search techniques during joint training with the Australian Army at Camp Kibaritan in Northern Mindanao.
Diverse Training Areas for ADF and AFP Personnel
JATT-P Coordinator, Major Lachlan Newham, explained that Mobile Training Teams would focus on:
Operational planning
Riverine and littoral operations
Aviation maintenance
Armoured tactics
“The JATT-P is incorporating more air and maritime Mobile Training Teams, as well as increasing the complexity of land and military planning exercises,” Major Newham said.
ADF personnel gain an in-depth understanding of AFP operations, enhancing mutual respect, appreciation of strategic perspectives, and the AFP’s commitment to defending Philippine sovereignty.
The Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) Program is reinforcing the defence relationship between Australia and the Philippines, reaching the halfway point for 2025.
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