Defence: Australia ramps up warship drills

News Snapshot:

Australia will ramp up joint security patrols with the Philippines to counter China’s “aggressive” behaviour in the South China Sea. Defence Minister Richard Marles flew to Manila for talks with his Filipino counterpart Gilberto Teodoro on Friday. He announced that more than 2,000 Australian and Philippine defence personnel will undergo landing and air assault drills, with two Australian navy vessels conducting bilateral exercises with the Philippine navy. Mr Marles said this signalled a “very significantly growing defence relationship between our two countries” “A whole lot of damage can be done to Australia before any potential adversary sets foot on our...