Australia is set to deliver PHP110 million worth of additional drones and maritime domain awareness technology to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as announced by outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu on Friday.
Speaking at the Stratbase ADRI forum in Makati City, Yu stated that the new assistance package would be rolled out over the next couple of years and would include not only equipment but also training and integration support. “Our commitment goes further than physical assets. It also includes operational training, support, and an integration package,” she said.
“This capability uplift is another example of Australia’s ongoing commitment to provide tangible assistance to the Philippines to boost its maritime domain awareness,” Yu added.
This new assistance follows a previous commitment of PHP34 million worth of drones and operator training recently provided to the PCG. In April, Australia delivered 20 world-class aerial drones to the Philippines, aimed at enhancing the PCG’s strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities.
The drones are part of Canberra’s civil maritime cooperation with Manila, which also encompasses vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, and annual Law of the Sea courses.
In addition to equipment provision, Australia is increasing its cyber support for the PCG, recognizing its role as a front-liner in both maritime and cyberspace. “Through the DFAT’s (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program, we are stepping up cyber capacity building support to the Philippines as a priority partner country,” Yu noted.
Last year, Yu announced that Australia would double its civil maritime cooperation commitment with the Philippines to PHP649 million from 2025 to 2029.