Why Australia is picking up the tab for Philippine military upgrades

Canberra’s evolving ties with Manila hinge on its own strategic interests that may now align more closely with the Southeast Asian country’s than even those of Washington, observers say.

Australia has committed to building eight infrastructure projects this year at five military bases in Luzon. Canberra will lead the construction, use, upgrade and maintenance of the facilities, according to Australian media, though the exact locations have not been disclosed and the cost is still being finalised.

“The Luzon projects are part of Australia’s broader efforts to bolster the security architecture of the region,” Philippine outlet Rappler reported. “[The Philippines] is expected to be a front line in a future regional war.”

A study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute published in November said Canberra now had independent reasons to invest in Philippine security, beyond its contribution to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

The institute’s 27-page report noted that Australia’s defence relationship with the Philippines had evolved since 2017 to become the closest after the US.