Why Australia is picking up tab for Philippine military upgrades

Australia has emerged as an alternate defence partner to long-time US ally the Philippines amid mounting uncertainty over American commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific.Canberra’s ties with Manila hinge on its own interests that could be more closely aligned with the Southeast Asian country than even those of Washington, observers say.Australia has committed to building eight infrastructure projects this year at five military bases in Luzon.Canberra will lead the construction, use, upgrade and maintenance of the facilities, according to Australian media, though the exact locations have not been disclosed and the cost is still being finalised.“The Luzon projects are part of Australia’s broader efforts to bolster the security architecture of the region,” Philippine media agency Rappler said. “[The Philippines] is expected to be a front line in a future regional war.”Last November, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said in a 27-page study that Canberra had independent reasons to invest in the Philippines’ security beyond its importance to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific.