The Philippine Army is conducting its inaugural joint field training exercise with Australian counterparts in Mindanao, as part of efforts to strengthen defense ties and improve interoperability with allied nations.

In a statement Friday, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the participating troopers are engaged in this year's bilateral exercise called Kasangga 2025-1 at Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, which is set to conclude on 24 June.

Named after the Filipino word Kasangga, meaning “ally” or “partner,” the exercise is the first Philippine Army–Australian Army Exercise (PAAAE) held in the southern Philippines.

The exercise brings together three platoons from the Philippine Army’s 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions, along with the Combat Engineer Regiment, working alongside their Australian Army counterparts.

Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido said the first-ever joint field training between the Philippine and Australian Armies in Mindanao is a major step forward in strengthening defense ties between the two nations.

"This inaugural Army-to-Army exercise in Mindanao marks a significant advancement in our bilateral defense cooperation and reaffirms our shared commitment as strategic partners to ensuring regional security in the Indo-Pacific," he said.

The training covers jungle and urban operations, breaching techniques, tactical combat casualty care, jungle survival, and mobility, counter-mobility, and reconnaissance.

These drills simulate real-world combat scenarios to enhance operational readiness and strengthen the troops’ understanding of each other’s tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The Philippine Army noted that Kasangga 2025-1 underscores the growing defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia, supporting broader regional efforts to uphold peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Last year, the participating armies conducted jungle survival and combat tracking drills on the slopes of Mount Isarog in Camarines Sur.

During the previous PAAAE, around 47 Filipino soldiers and 50 Australian Army personnel trekked eight kilometers from Brgy. Tinangis in Pili to Brgy. Panicuason in Naga City, carrying out simulated jungle survival exercises, tracking techniques, and patrol base operations.

The troops also trained together on sourcing water, identifying edible plants and animals, and setting traps in the field.

Additional training covered explosive breaching, cybersecurity operations, mortar gunnery with forward observers, and Civil-Military Operations (CMO) exchanges.