Australia has conducted a second round of drone training for Philippine Coast Guard personnel to help strengthen the country’s maritime security capabilities, its embassy in Manila said Friday.
The training follows the delivery of P36 million worth of aerial drones and associated training to the PCG in April 2025, the embassy added.
From Nov. 24 to 28, Australian experts conducted specialized drone-operator training in Laguna for 30 PCG officers, covering night and daytime operations and maintenance.
“This training is another example of Australia’s steadfast commitment to supporting the PCG’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and modernization agenda,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said.
In July, Australia committed up to P110 million more in drones and uncrewed maritime domain-awareness technologies for the Philippines.
“This endeavor is instrumental in strengthening our service and contributing to global maritime security efforts,” PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan said.
Australia is the second country after the United States with a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, allowing military drills in each other’s territory. Manila has similar accords with Japan, New Zealand and Canada, and is negotiating with other Western nations as it seeks to expand defense alliances amid China’s growing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
The years-long disputes also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
