On Wednesday, the Philippine Air Force arrived in northern Australia to participate in a combat exercise alongside US and Australian fighter jets. This marks the first overseas deployment of the Philippine Air Force in sixty years, happening at a time when tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea continue to escalate.
According to Reuters, on Wednesday, the Philippines dispatched four FA-50 fighter jets and 162 military personnel to participate in the combat exercise codenamed “Pitch Black 2024” in the northern Australian outback airspace, with a total of 20 countries and 140 aircraft taking part.
“Pitch Black” is a large-scale multinational military exercise led by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), conducted biennially to enhance regional security and the ability of allied forces to carry out joint combat missions.
RAAF Air Vice-Marshal Pete Robinson stated, “It is a huge honor that the Philippine Air Force has decided to deploy combat aircraft overseas for the first time since 1963, and Australia being chosen as the first deployment location is significant.”
He added that the northern regions of Australia offer “vast airspace” that can enhance capabilities from aerial combat to utilizing radar and missile systems to engage with enemies beyond visual range.
Robinson emphasized that the Philippine fighter jets will work with other air forces to “address complex problems, counter simulated adversaries, and ground threats.” US F-22 stealth fighters, Australian F-35A and F-18 fighter jets are also participating in the exercise.
He pointed out, “Integrating these aircraft together will yield more impressive results than individual solutions.”
Colonel Randy Pascua of the Philippine Air Force said, “All of this is aimed at enhancing our readiness and capabilities.”
Recently, confrontations between China and the Philippines in the contested South China Sea have become increasingly intense.
Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, believes that despite the Philippines having a mutual defense treaty with the United States, they still consider their air force and navy as their first line of defense.
Graham stated, “Against the backdrop of the South China Sea situation, the Philippines is now acutely aware of external threats from China and Manila is working diligently to enhance its defense capabilities.”
He added, “The biggest change is that they lost many capabilities and are now in the process of regaining them.”
The Philippines is actively modernizing its military equipment. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Romeo Brawner, stated last week that the Philippines is looking to purchase fighter jets with longer range and wider applications but has not yet decided on the specific aircraft to acquire.
Graham noted that the Philippines recently reached agreements with Australia and Japan allowing for military visits and passage through each other’s territories, indicating the Philippines’ efforts in establishing more regional defense relationships.
In April this year, Australia, Japan, the US, and the Philippines conducted a naval cooperation exercise in the South China Sea.
Air Vice-Marshal Robinson stated, “Establishing collaborative combat capabilities with our regional partners allows us to leverage each air force’s strengths to the fullest, forming a team with shared values to uphold peace and stability in the entire region.” He emphasized, “Ensuring that we can respond promptly in the event of the worst-case scenario.”