Japan to Give Philippines Coastal Radar, Drones in $27 Million Deal
Japan will provide the Philippines with a coastal surveillance radar system and unmanned aircraft under a $27 million security deal signed in Manila on Monday. It is the first transfer of finished Japanese-made defense equipment under Tokyo's security assistance program.
Japan will provide coastal radar and unmanned aircraft to the Philippines under a $27 million security deal signed Monday in Manila, as both countries face growing tensions with China, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.
The agreement is the first transfer of finished Japanese-made defense equipment through Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) program.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Katsuro Kitagawa and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro signed the deal, valued at 4.3 billion yen, at a ceremony in the Philippine capital.
The coastal surveillance radar system will go to the Philippine Navy. The uncrewed aerial vehicles will go to the Philippine Air Force. The ministry said the equipment is meant to strengthen maritime security and surveillance in a country that sits near key sea lanes.
What the OSA program does
Japan set up the OSA in 2023 as a military counterpart to its official development assistance program. It aims to help developing nations address challenges posed by China's growing influence.
Tokyo has been accelerating its military and arms industry buildup. It lifted a ban on lethal weapons exports earlier this year. It has also agreed with the Philippines to begin talks on a deal that would let Japan provide used destroyers to Manila's navy.
Tensions with China
China and the Philippines have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Tensions have led to clashes between sailors and collisions between warships in recent years. Vietnam also has overlapping claims with China in the same waters.
China has stepped up military activity near Japan's coasts as well. Chinese coast guard ships maintain a constant presence around Japanese-controlled, uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that Beijing also claims.
Vietnam talks in Tokyo
Separately on Monday, the leaders of Japan and Vietnam held talks in Tokyo. They pledged to deepen cooperation in defense, energy and economic security.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a news conference with Vietnamese President To Lam that Japan would accelerate its planned security assistance to Vietnam. The aim is to support Vietnam's role in international peacekeeping. The two leaders also agreed to maintain and strengthen a rules-based, "free and open" Indo-Pacific.
They signed several cooperation agreements covering nuclear energy, gas-fired power generation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, Takaichi said.
