Australia, Japan, Philippines, and United States Conducted Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

Maritime Cooperative Activity consisting of Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Hobart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Akizuki, Philippine Navy ship BRPJose Rizal, and United States Navy ship USS Benfold. *** Local Caption *** Naval and air force units from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States, conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines� Exclusive Economic Zone on 5 February 2025. Australia has participated in MCAs with the Philippines since 2023, underlining our commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Australia�s participation supports the right to freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Strong cooperation and the ability to work together, demonstrated through activities such this, enhance our interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges with partners and allies. HMAS Hobart participated in the MCA during a six-week Regional Presence Deployment (RPD). RPDs in the Indo-Pacific demonstrate Australia�s commitment and ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability.