Philippine Army drone pilots compete in global military tournament in Australia

Philippine Army drone pilots are competing against some of the world’s top military teams in the 6th Military International Drone Racing Tournament hosted by the Australian Army from 12 to 14 March 2026 in Sydney, Australia.

The competition is part of the 125th founding anniversary of the Australian Defence Force and gathers elite drone teams from allied and partner militaries for high-speed First-Person View drone events.

The five-member Philippine Army team, composed of an officer, two enlisted personnel and two reservists, was invited by the Australian Army to participate in the tournament.

The team arrived at Randwick Barracks on 10 March and immediately conducted course familiarization and race track reconnaissance in preparation for the competition.

The Philippine contingent will compete in drone racing, bomb drop and air-to-air engagement events that test piloting agility, precision targeting and tactical maneuvering skills relevant to unmanned aerial systems operations.

The Philippine Army drone team was formed through the initiative of 2nd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Ramon P. Zagala, who envisioned recruiting and training expert drone pilots for the Army as drones increasingly shape modern warfare.

The tournament also serves as a training and capability development platform for participating militaries. FPV drone racing develops skills that translate directly to battlefield drone operations such as reconnaissance, surveillance and tactical support missions.

The event also provides opportunities for military-to-military engagement, allowing the Philippine contingent to observe emerging drone technologies and exchange insights with unmanned aerial system experts from partner nations.

The Philippine Army’s participation builds on the drone team’s fifth-place finish in the Military International Drone Racing Tournament held in the United Kingdom in 2025 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

That competition featured drone racing and “find and strike” scenarios, highlighting the Army’s growing focus on developing unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities.

The Philippine Army continues to train its troops to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of drone warfare and advancements in unmanned aerial systems operations.