The Australian government is donating more sea drones to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to boost its maritime domain awareness amid challenges securing Philippine territorial waters, Canberra announced on Friday.
“Over the next two years, Australia will provide PCG with up to $3 million Australian dollars, or approximately 110 million pesos, in drones and other uncrewed maritime domain awareness technologies,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu said during a StratBase event.
The event was organized to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling in favor of Manila, rejecting Beijing’s claim over most of the South China Sea.
Last April, the Australian government already donated P34 million worth of drones and operator training to boost the PCG’s strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities and assist in other operations.
Yu also said that aside from physical assets, the assistance also includes operational training, support, and an integration package.
“This capability uplift is another example of Australia’s ongoing commitment to provide tangible assistance to the Philippines to boost its maritime domain awareness,” the envoy added.
For his part, PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said, “This [donation] greatly assists the PCG in advancing its fundamental role as a responsible protector of rules to help keep the peace and prosperity for our people and all law-abiding users of our seas.”
