Australia, Philippines Strengthen Military Ties with New Defence Pact to Counter China’s South China Sea Moves

Australia and the Philippines are set to deepen their military alliance through a new defence cooperation agreement aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the South China Sea, officials announced during a joint press conference in Manila on Friday.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the pact, expected to be finalised by next year, would expand current military collaboration and enhance joint operations across the region.

“This agreement will regularise and strengthen our defence activities,” said Marles, noting that the deal will support eight infrastructure projects across five sites in the Philippines. These projects are expected to bolster the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and deepen interoperability with Australian forces.

Teodoro, while withholding operational details, emphasised the importance of confidentiality, stating, “We cannot tell you. Only China will benefit if we tell you.”

The defence cooperation is seen as part of a broader strategic shift among regional allies in response to China’s increasing assertiveness in disputed waters. Security analysts believe the agreement could help formalise a trilateral framework among Manila, Canberra, and Tokyo, complementing existing US-led security arrangements in the Indo-Pacific.

“This triangular network with Japan would significantly deepen regional military ties,” said Chester Cabalza, president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank. He added that the upcoming implementation of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement will further enhance this strategic alignment.

The announcement marks another step in the Philippines’ evolving defence posture under mounting geopolitical pressure in the South China Sea.