Multilateral naval drills by US, Philippines and Australia in the South China Sea

In the Sulu Sea on April 13, 2026, a group sail occurred as part of a multilateral exercise involving the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156), the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and the U.S. Navy’s USS Ashland (LSD 48). The operation included forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Royal Australian Navy and was conducted to practice interoperability and to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Separately, the United States, Australia and the Philippines held their second joint maritime drills in the South China Sea this year, conducted amid tensions with China in the disputed waters. The exercises underscore ongoing security cooperation among the three allies in the region.