Australian Defence Force to participate in military games in Philippines despite fuel crisis
Australia’s military will deploy air and naval assets to the Philippines later this month to take part in war games, despite the spectre of nationwide fuel rationing.
Australia’s military will deploy air and naval assets to the Philippines later this month to take part in war games, despite the spectre of nationwide fuel rationing.
The Australian Defence Force has no plans to pull out of the annual Balikatan military exercises — all while an oil supply shock sparked by the Iran war shows little sign of abating.
“The ADF looks forward to participating again in exercise Balikatan 2026, scheduled to begin on April 20,” an ADF spokeswoman said on Tuesday afternoon.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“More than 400 ADF personnel will take part in the exercise, drawn from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.
“The ADF has participated in exercise Balikatan since 2014 and values the exercise as an important opportunity to strengthen interoperability, enhance military to military cooperation, and reinforce our long-standing defence relationships with the United States, the Philippines and regional partners.”
Both the US and Australia use Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
Australia has one of the most meagre fuel reserves among the world’s developed economies, holding about 30 days worth of diesel and 39 days worth of petrol.
In comparison, the United States has more than 100 days of reserve fuel and Japan has more than 250 days.
A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Richard Marles rejected suggestions that war games in the Philippines could end up being an unnecessary burden on Australia’s precarious fuel situation.
“The ADF has established fuel supplies, supported by reliable arrangements and contingency reserves,” she said.
“Defence receives fuel through a long‑standing contractual arrangement with its strategic partner, Viva Energy, which continues to supply fuel in line with agreed contractual arrangements.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week said Australia’s fuel supply was guaranteed until May, but he conceded there was uncertainty beyond then.
Mr Albanese is scheduled to address the nation on Australia’s fuel situation later on Wednesday.
The Federal Government is believed to have ruled out fuel rationing until the national stockpile dwindles to 10 days’ worth of supply.
Certain pockets of Australia’s most vital industries are already facing a supply crunch.
The West Australian reported on Monday that local iron ore mines supporting about 1000 jobs face catastrophic fuel shortages in as little as 10 days.
Viva Energy is an ASX-listed company that owns one of just two of Australia’s remaining operational oil refineries, in Geelong in Victoria. The other is owned by Ampol and is in Brisbane.
