January 27 ------ THE Philippines will participate for the first time in Talisman Sabre, the "largest military exercise" in the southern hemisphere, said acting Ambassador of Australia to Manila Moya Collett. Collett made the announcement during a maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute in partnership with the French embassy in the Philippines.
She also mentioned the second iteration of Exercise ALON, designed to enhance interoperability among strategic partners, and reaffirmed Australia's continued participation in the United States-Philippines Balikatan exercises. "Maritime security and territorial defense are now core pillars of Australia's defense cooperation program, evolving in response to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' needs," Collett said.
On its website, the Australia Defense Force (ADF) said that Talisman Sabre 2025 will be the 11th and largest iteration of the exercise. Forces will be moving into Australian training areas from mid-July 2025. Nineteen nations were invited to this year's exercise, the ADF said. "The exercise is a key opportunity to work with partners from across the region and around the globe," it added.
Talisman Sabre is a biennial exercise predominantly involving Australia and the US, the Australian Army posted on its website. The spelling alternates depending on which country is leading — "Sabre" if Australia leads and "Saber" if the US leads. It is a multi-national and joint multi-service exercise involving thousands of troops and major assets such as Australian and allied warships, fighters, bombers, helicopters, armor and artillery.
The exercise will be conducted at designated ADF training sites throughout Queensland, and in adjacent maritime and airspace areas of the Coral Sea. It will consist of a live fire exercise and field training exercises incorporating force preparation activities, amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, and air combat and maritime operations. The exact locations are still being planned.
Source: manilatimes.net
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