Australia has sent its largest ship HMAS Canberra to the South China Sea for joint exercises with the US and the Philippines

One of the Royal Australian Navy's two largest warships HMAS Canberra (L02) is taking part in Exercise Alon alongside the US and the Philippines. The event is taking place in the South China Sea.

Here's What We Know

China's People's Liberation Army regularly sends its ships, fighter jets and bombers to patrol in disputed territories. In response, the US and its allies have been staging exercises in the region.

The Royal Australian Navy ship is called HMAS Canberra (L02). Several ships, more than 2,000 troops from the Philippines and Australia, and about 150 U.S. Marines are participating in Exercise Alon. The US, Japan and Australia will also conduct joint naval exercises off the Philippines this week.

HMAS Canberra (L02) is Australia's first Canberra-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship. It was launched in February 2011 and commissioned more than 3.5 years later.

It is worth noting that HMAS Canberra (L02) is the largest ship of the Royal Australian Navy. It has a displacement of over 27,830 tonnes and a length of 230.8 metres. In second place is HMAS Adelaide (pictured below) of the same class, which is almost 1 metre shorter and has a displacement of 27,800 tonnes.

HMAS Canberra (L02) can reach speeds of up to 37 kilometres per hour. There is room on board for a maximum of 18 helicopters. The ship is equipped with six 12.7mm automatic machine guns and a Rafael Typhoon system for defence against adversaries.

Source: Australian Ministry of Defence