Exercise Sama Sama 2025 emphasized the Philippines’ enduring partnership with Allies and Partners as naval forces conducted operations in the archipelago’s western territory.
Ten nations were involved in the latest iteration of the Philippines and United States-led exercise, named for the Filipino word meaning together. Defense personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan and the United Kingdom participated as troops from Italy, New Zealand and Thailand observed the two-week exercise in October.
Combat rehearsals off western Palawan united navies in the South China Sea, where China’s arbitrary territorial claims have sparked tense confrontations in the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone.
Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s claims to most of the South China Sea, Beijing has continued to harass Philippine law enforcement, military and civilians in the waterway.
In response, Manila has focused on military modernization and increased defense cooperation to uphold international law and deter China’s coercion. Military exercises have included missile systems and other strategic deployments in the Philippine archipelago.
Challenges in the nation’s waters make it important for like-minded Allies and Partners to develop interoperability, Philippine Navy Commodore Francisco C. Cacho told the broadcaster Radio Philippines World Service.
Sama Sama included complex naval maneuvers. For example, a multinational naval forces task group executed high-intensity tactical operations in the Philippine Western Naval Command’s (WNC) area of responsibility, including Palawan and the Kalayaan islands.
The task group comprised Philippine helicopters and vessels BRP Antonio Luna, BRP Ramon Alcaraz, BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Lolinato To-Ong. They joined the U.S. Navy’s USS Cincinnati littoral combat ship and Canada’s HMCS Max Bernays patrol vessel to rehearse sea replenishment approaches, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, screening and other defense tactics, according to the Philippine News Agency. French aircraft provided support and maritime domain awareness, the WNC said.
The drills demonstrated the WNC’s role as a strategic hub for regional maritime security, the command stated. Training included live-fire drills, tactical maneuvering, communications management, battle coordination and warfare proficiency among surface action groups, which tested strategic decision-making in real-time scenarios.
Sama Sama participants also conducted community engagement projects and expert exchanges. Australian, French and Philippine personnel enhanced coordination and maritime response capabilities with combat casualty care training. Naval special warfare units trained in explosive ordnance disposal and mine countermeasures.
Sports competitions promoted camaraderie, reaffirming that Allies and Partners’ “greatest strength lies in people working together — stronger, closer, and always ‘samasama,’” the WNC stated.
“Exercise Sama Sama demonstrated the strength of our interoperability, operational cohesion, and seamless coordination — reaffirming our shared resolve to promote regional stability, uphold freedom of navigation, and deter threats to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region,” Cacho said during the closing ceremony.
