SYDNEY, Australia — A five-member Philippine Army drone team is competing against elite military units from around the world in the 6th Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT-AS26) hosted by the Australian Army from March 12 to 14, 2026, in Sydney.
The competition, held at Randwick Barracks as part of the Australian Army’s 125th founding anniversary celebrations, brings together drone specialists from allied and partner militaries to compete in high-speed First-Person View (FPV) drone events.
According to a press release from Colonel Louie G. Dema-ala, Chief Public Affairs of the Philippine Army, the Filipino team arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, March 10, and immediately began course familiarization and race track reconnaissance in preparation for the three-day competition.
Multi-Discipline Competition Format
The Philippine Army drone aces will compete in three challenging categories: drone racing, bomb drop precision events, and air-to-air engagement scenarios. These competitions are designed to test pilots’ agility, precision targeting capabilities, and tactical maneuvering skills that are increasingly relevant to modern unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations.
The five-member team consists of one officer, two enlisted personnel, and two reservists, representing a cross-section of the Army’s drone capabilities. The team was personally invited by the Australian Army to participate in this prestigious international competition.
The FPV drone racing format requires pilots to navigate high-speed courses while viewing the flight path through cameras mounted on their aircraft, simulating real-world battlefield conditions where operators must rely on remote visual feeds.
Strategic Vision Behind Drone Program
The Philippine Army’s drone program emerged from the strategic vision of 2nd Infantry Division Commander Major General Ramon P. Zagala, who recognized the transformative impact of unmanned systems on modern warfare. The program focuses on recruiting and training expert drone pilots to enhance the Army’s operational capabilities.
“The recruitment and training of expert drone pilots for the Army” became a priority “in light of how drones changed modern warfare,” according to the official statement. This initiative reflects the Philippine military’s adaptation to contemporary security challenges and technological advances.
The program addresses the rapidly evolving field of drone warfare, ensuring that Filipino military personnel can keep pace with advancements in unmanned aerial systems operations used by military forces worldwide.
Training and Capability Development Platform
Beyond the competitive aspect, MIDRT-AS26 serves as a comprehensive military training and capability development platform. The tournament provides participating teams with exposure to cutting-edge drone technologies and operational techniques used by international military forces.
The FPV drone racing format directly translates to battlefield applications, cultivating skills essential for reconnaissance missions, surveillance operations, and tactical support activities. These competencies are increasingly vital as modern military operations integrate unmanned systems across various operational domains.
The event also facilitates valuable military-to-military engagement opportunities, allowing the Philippine contingent to observe emerging drone technologies and exchange operational insights with UAS experts and operators from partner nations.
Building on Previous International Success
The Philippine Army’s participation in MIDRT-AS26 builds upon the team’s previous international achievement at the Military International Drone Racing Tournament United Kingdom 2025, held at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In that competition, the Philippine Army drone aces secured a respectable 5th place finish.
The UK-hosted tournament featured drone racing events and complex “find and strike” scenarios, demonstrating the Philippine Army’s growing commitment to advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities on the international stage.
This progression from the 2025 UK competition to the 2026 Australian tournament illustrates the continuous development of the Philippine Army’s drone program and its increasing recognition within international military circles.
Regional Security Implications
For Negros Oriental and other Philippine provinces, the Army’s enhanced drone capabilities represent improved security and disaster response potential. Modern UAS technology can support various civilian applications, including search and rescue operations, disaster assessment, and border monitoring.
The skills developed through international competitions like MIDRT-AS26 directly enhance the military’s ability to provide security services and emergency response support to local communities throughout the Philippines.
The program also strengthens defense cooperation between the Philippines and key allies like Australia, fostering relationships that benefit regional security and stability.
Technological Advancement and Future Readiness
The Philippine Army’s investment in drone technology reflects broader trends in modern military operations, where unmanned systems play increasingly critical roles in intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and tactical operations.
By participating in international competitions and training programs, the Philippine military ensures its personnel remain current with global best practices and technological developments in the UAS field.
The competition results and experiences gained in Sydney will likely inform future training programs and capability development initiatives within the Philippine Army’s drone operations.
The tournament concludes on March 14, 2026, with results expected to demonstrate the growing capabilities of Southeast Asian military drone programs and strengthen international military cooperation in emerging technologies.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Philippine Army
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