Manila [Philippines], April 10 (ANI): In a move to bolster the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness, Australia has donated 20 advanced drones to Manila, following a recent tense maritime encounter between Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels in the South China Sea. The donation, valued at PHP 34 million (USD 592,000), was announced during a ceremony on Tuesday in Bataan province, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Australia’s ambassador to the Philippines, Hae Kyong Yu, emphasized that the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) donation reflects Australia’s strong commitment to civil maritime cooperation.
“I am pleased to deliver this package of state-of-the-art drones. It is a tangible example of our increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines and a contribution that supports the Philippine coast guard’s modernisation efforts,” Yu stated.
Alongside the drone donation, Australia will also provide a four-day training program for 30 Philippine coast guard personnel on drone operation. The aim is to enable real-time surveillance over vast areas of the West Philippine Sea—the term used by Manila for parts of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The gesture comes amid rising regional tensions. Just days earlier, Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships came dangerously close to a collision in disputed waters, heightening fears of escalation in an already volatile maritime zone. The West Philippine Sea has been the site of frequent stand-offs, with Beijing’s expansive territorial claims increasingly clashing with those of its Southeast Asian neighbors.
Chris Gardiner, CEO of the Institute for Regional Security, commented that uncrewed and automated air, surface, and underwater systems represent the future of maritime security.
“In light of China’s assertive territorial claims, growing navy, vast fishing fleet, and maritime militia, Manila must urgently invest in systems to enhance its maritime domain awareness,” Gardiner told South China Morning Post.
Australia, while not a claimant in the South China Sea dispute, has been vocal about upholding international law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. Its growing naval and air presence in the region signals Canberra’s commitment to countering Beijing’s influence alongside other Western allies.
This donation is just one of several ongoing initiatives between Australia and the Philippines, which include vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection programs, and annual Law of the Sea courses.
As tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea, enhanced surveillance capabilities provided by Australia are expected to play a critical role in helping the Philippines monitor its territorial waters and respond more effectively to maritime incidents. (ANI)
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