Australian and Philippine soldiers begin Exercise Kasangga 2026-02 in Samar

A total of 234 soldiers, 144 from the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division and 90 from the Australian Army, began the nearly month-long Exercise Kasangga 2026-02 on 19 October at the 8th Division Training School in Hinabangan, Samar, including drone and anti-armour training.

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Philippine and Australian soldiers have begun Exercise Kasangga 2026-02, a nearly month-long army-to-army exercise in Samar, The Philippine Times reported. It opened on 19 October 2026 at the 8th Division Training School in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan.

The exercise involves 234 soldiers: 144 personnel from the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division and 90 from the Australian Army. Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala told Screencap that it focuses on interoperability and the exchange of operational knowledge, tactical expertise and best practices across command and control, intelligence, manoeuvre, fires, sustainment, force protection and other warfighting functions.

On 22 October the two forces trained together on anti-armour operations in complex terrain and on operating unmanned aerial systems safely and responsibly, Kuryente News reported, citing the Philippine Army. Kasangga comes from the Filipino word for "ally" or "partner".

This is the second Kasangga exercise of 2026. The Philippine Times noted it comes as Australia and the Philippines mark 80 years of diplomatic relations, and that the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2023. The Philippines and Australia have a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement that provides the legal framework for joint exercises, Screencap reported.