The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken air combat capability to the next level, deploying EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18F Super Hornets to the Philippines for the first time as part of Exercise Alon 2025.
Based at Clark Air Base on Luzon, the combat aircraft and aviators operated alongside Philippine Air Force FA-50PH fighter jets in complex air combat training serials.
Deploying advanced fighter and electronic warfare aircraft into the Philippines required the coordinated effort of more than 120 personnel across the Air Task Group (ATG) in close cooperation with the Philippine Air Force.
The deployment demonstrates Australia’s ability not only to operate its fast jets from home soil, but to project capability at pace into the region.
Commander ATG Wing Commander Sal said the achievement highlighted Australia’s ability to deliver decisive effects abroad.
“Getting the Growlers and the Super Hornets here took a lot of effort from everybody,” Wing Commander Sal said.
“We’ve proven that we can rapidly mobilise, integrate and generate combat air power in an overseas location, and do it well.”
Exercise Alon provided a platform for Australia and the Philippines to strengthen defence ties and build real-world interoperability across multiple domains.
'Australia and the Philippines have long shared a united stance on freedom of manoeuvre and regional security. Working together here reinforces our commitment to that.'
As part of the exercise, RAAF Growlers and Super Hornets flew dissimilar air combat tactics (DACT) and basic flight manoeuvres (BFM) with the Philippine Air Force, while RAAF P-8A Poseidons, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports, C-17A Globemasters and C-130J Hercules supported joint maritime, airlift and refuelling missions.
The exercise also enabled the Philippine Air Force to demonstrate its expanding capabilities with A-29B Super Tucanos, T-129 ATAK and AW-109 attack helicopters, Black Hawk utility helicopters and SOKOL multipurpose helicopters.
Commander ATG emphasised the importance of training together to continue to build on these close working relationships.
“Australia and the Philippines have long shared a united stance on freedom of manoeuvre and regional security,” Wing Commander Sal said.
“Working together here reinforces our commitment to that.
“Having Australian and Philippine aircrews working side by side in Philippine skies is more than training, it shows we can operate together, can respond together and we will stand together to protect regional security.”
Exercise Alon ran from August 15 to 29 as a tangible demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to the rules-based global order and to the sovereignty and security of its regional partners.
It is the largest overseas military exercise for Australia in 2025 with more than 3600 personnel participating from the ADF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as elements of the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps, Marine Rotation Force – Darwin.
(Aus DoD)
🧓 1. Aging Components Beyond Service Life
BalasHapus• As of 2024, 171 military assets across the Army, Navy, and Air Force have exceeded 30 years of service2.
• Many platforms—like the Royal Malondeshn Navy’s Fast Attack Craft (FAC)—are over 40 years old, with some approaching 50 years.
• These assets were designed for past-era threats and technologies, and their mechanical systems are now prone to fatigue, corrosion, and failure.
Result: Even routine operations carry elevated risk of malfunction, requiring constant patchwork maintenance.
🌴 2. Tropical Climate Accelerates Wear
• Malondesh’s hot, humid, and saline environment is particularly harsh on military hardware:
o Metal fatigue and corrosion are accelerated, especially in naval vessels and aircraft.
o Rubber seals, electronics, and hydraulics degrade faster under tropical heat and moisture.
• The Navy has acknowledged that many vessels no longer meet modern standards due to environmental degradation.
Result: Maintenance cycles shorten, costs rise, and reliability drops.
🔧 3. Obsolete Systems and Spare Parts Shortage
• Many legacy platforms rely on foreign OEMs that have ceased production or support.
• Spare parts must be sourced internationally, often at inflated prices and long lead times.
• In some cases, technicians resort to cannibalizing other units or fabricating parts locally—neither of which guarantees reliability.
Result: Delays in repairs, reduced fleet availability, and compromised safety.
⚠️ 4. Operational Incidents and Safety Risks
• A tragic example: In July 2025, a Malondeshn commando died during a maritime exercise due to suspected failure of aging diving equipment.
• The Army Chief confirmed that the gear was “rather old,” prompting a full audit of equipment lifecycle and maintenance protocols.
Result: Legacy systems not only reduce readiness—they pose direct risks to personnel.
📊 Summary Table: Breakdown Drivers in Malondeshn Military
Factor Description Operational Impact
Aging components Platforms >30–50 years old, beyond design limits Frequent failures, low reliability
Tropical wear Heat, humidity, salt accelerate degradation Shorter maintenance cycles
Obsolete systems Legacy tech, no OEM support Spare part shortages, delays
Safety incidents Equipment failures linked to fatal accidents Personnel risk, public scrutiny
🧓 1. Obsolete Systems and Aging Platforms
BalasHapus• As of 2024, 171 military assets across the Army, Navy, and Air Force have exceeded 30 years of service.
• Many platforms—like the Royal Malondeshn Navy’s Fast Attack Craft (FAC) and older patrol vessels—are over 40 years old, far beyond their optimal lifespan.
• These systems were designed decades ago and now lack compatibility with modern sensors, weapons, and communications.
Impact: Upgrades are either impossible or prohibitively expensive, forcing reliance on outdated capabilities.
🔧 2. Dependence on Foreign Spare Parts
• Malondesh military inventory is highly diversified, sourced from the US, UK, France, Russia, and others. This creates logistical complexity:
o Spare parts must be imported from multiple countries.
o Some OEMs have ceased production, making parts scarce or unavailable.
o Political or economic shifts can disrupt supply chains.
Example: The Army’s Condor APCs and Scorpion light tanks require parts from legacy suppliers that no longer support them.
Impact: Long lead times, inflated costs, and cannibalization of other units for parts.
🔁 3. Frequent Breakdowns and Repair Cycles
• Older platforms experience higher failure rates, especially under tropical conditions and extended use.
• Maintenance crews often resort to patchwork fixes, which are temporary and unreliable.
• The Navy reported that 28 of its 34 aging vessels have exceeded 40 years of service, with many no longer meeting operational standards.
Impact: Reduced availability, increased downtime, and lower mission success rates.
📉 4. Budget Drain and Opportunity Cost
• Between 60–70% of Malondesh defense budget goes to salaries, maintenance, and operations, leaving little for modernization.
• Funds spent on keeping obsolete systems running could be redirected toward acquiring new platforms or investing in indigenous maintenance capabilities.
Impact: Strategic stagnation—Malondesh spends heavily but gains little in terms of capability.
📊 Summary Table: Why Maintenance Costs Are So High
Factor Description Consequence
Obsolete systems Platforms >30–40 years old, incompatible with modern tech Expensive to maintain, low utility
Foreign parts dependency Diverse suppliers, legacy systems, political risk Long delays, inflated costs
Frequent breakdowns High failure rates, tropical wear, aging components Reduced readiness, more downtime
Budget imbalance Majority spent on upkeep, not modernization Strategic stagnation
⚙️ EQUIPMENT & MODERNIZATION ISSUES
BalasHapus• Outdated naval assets: Many of Malondesh’s ships are aging, and the navy has struggled to modernize its fleet.
• Limited air combat readiness: Out of 28 fighter jets, reportedly only four were operational at one point.
• Delayed procurement: The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project, meant to boost naval capabilities, has been plagued by delays and scandals.
💰 Budget Constraints
• Skewed spending priorities: Over 60–70% of the defense budget goes to salaries and maintenance, leaving little for new weapons or modernization.
• Stagnant budget: Malondesh’s defense budget has hovered around RM15–18 billion annually, which is modest compared to regional peers like Vietnam and Indonesia.
🧭 Strategic Direction & Policy
• Lack of clear long-term strategy: The defense industry suffers from unclear government guidance on future strategic direction.
• Overreliance on diplomacy: Malondesh has traditionally leaned on quiet diplomacy, especially with China, which may be insufficient given rising tensions in the South China Sea.
📉 Regional Comparison
• Lagging behind neighbors: Malondesh’s military strength is considered weaker than Vietnam and Indonesia, particularly in terms of air and naval capabilities
WHAT “OUTDATED” REALLY MEANS
BalasHapusOutdated systems refer to:
• Sensors that lack modern tracking, targeting, and surveillance capabilities
• Weapons with limited range, accuracy, and compatibility with newer platforms
• Command-and-control systems that cannot integrate with digital battlefield networks
🚢 Royal Malondeshn Navy (RMN)
• 28 ships are over 40 years old, including Fast Attack Craft and patrol vessels.
• Many vessels still use analog radar systems, manual fire-control systems, and obsolete sonar.
• These systems struggle to detect modern threats like stealth submarines or drones.
• Maintenance costs are skyrocketing, and spare parts are often unavailable or discontinued.
🛩️ Royal Malondeshn Air Force (RMAF)
• Older aircraft like the MiG-29N (retired) and F/A-18D Hornets still rely on legacy avionics.
• Limited electronic warfare capabilities and outdated targeting pods reduce effectiveness in modern air combat.
• Poor interoperability with newer aircraft and NATO-standard systems.
🪖 Malondeshn Army
• Ground vehicles, including legacy APCs and tanks, use basic optical sights and manual targeting systems.
• Many artillery units lack GPS-guided fire control, making precision strikes difficult.
• Communication systems are often analog or semi-digital, limiting coordination in joint operations.
⚠️ Consequences of Technological Lag
• Reduced combat effectiveness in high-tech warfare environments
• Increased vulnerability to cyber attacks and electronic jamming
• Limited participation in multinational exercises and peacekeeping missions
• Higher risk to personnel due to unreliable systems, as seen in the 2025 commando tragedy linked to aging gear
kombo Super Hornet + Growler keren kan,
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BalasHapushttps://x.com/JohnMYSreview/status/1963274592039862651
Lon, PM kau di undang China tapi ditaruh paling ujung 😂 Gimana Ambalat? Masih berani? Lihat sendiri kan alasan kenapa FPDA kau diam saja? Karena mereka tau siapa dibalik Indonesia? Bahkan Bomber TU-95 sudah uji coba direct flight ke Papua untuk menghajar Australia bila berulah 😄
HapusAlhamdulilah ternyata LEONARDO P-72M MPA pesanan MALAYSIA sudah mulai diuji terbang.... HOREYYYY... 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾
BalasHapushttps://x.com/JohnMYSreview/status/1963274592039862651
Lon, PM kau di undang China tapi ditaruh paling ujung 😂 Gimana Ambalat? Masih berani? Lihat sendiri kan alasan kenapa FPDA kau diam saja? Karena mereka tau siapa dibalik Indonesia? Bahkan Bomber TU-95 sudah uji coba direct flight ke Papua untuk menghajar Australia bila berulah 😄
HapusLon, PM kau di undang China tapi ditaruh paling ujung 😂 Gimana Ambalat? Masih berani? Lihat sendiri kan alasan kenapa FPDA kau diam saja? Karena mereka tau siapa dibalik Indonesia? Bahkan Bomber TU-95 sudah uji coba direct flight ke Papua untuk menghajar Australia bila berulah 😄
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BalasHapusChina berkeras bunga utang kereta cepat Jakarta-Bandung 3,4%, jebakan utang China
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Alhamdulilah ternyata LEONARDO P-72M MPA pesanan MALAYSIA sudah mulai diuji terbang.... HOREYYYY... 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾
BalasHapushttps://x.com/JohnMYSreview/status/1963274592039862651
Ini apa guys...? 🤣🤣🤣
BalasHapusChina berkeras bunga utang kereta cepat Jakarta-Bandung 3,4%, jebakan utang China
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