Australia's biggest warship deployed in Philippine drills

This photo shows an aerial shot of HMAS Canberra off Palawan on Monday, August 21, 2023, as a part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023 between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force called Exercise Alon. - AFP

ON BOARD the HMAS Canberra - Australia's largest warship took part in joint drills with the Philippines and the United States in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, as they seek to strengthen defence ties in the face of China's growing military presence.

China deploys hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarise reefs in the contested waters, which it claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis.