The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) will significantly enhance its maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities.
“We have actually a very progressively increasing defense relationship, a very healthy defense relationship with our ally that is Japan. The OSA will provide us avenues to increase or enhance our capabilities, particularly on MDA,” PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura stated in an interview with reporters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday afternoon.
Cordura made these remarks in response to questions about how the Philippines’ inclusion in the OSA would benefit the PAF. MDA refers to the understanding of activities, events, and conditions in the maritime environment that could impact security, safety, and the economy.
“Our priority here is our sensors and radars. In addition, OSA allows us to access HADR (humanitarian assistance disaster relief) platforms and equipment,” Cordura explained. “So, these are among the capability requirements that are already incorporated and up for obligation under the OSA to be delivered by our partner, Japan,” he added.
The Philippines is one of four countries identified by Japan as recipients of its OSA for fiscal year 2024. Japan has provided the PAF and the Philippine Navy with at least 1.6 billion Japanese yen, approximately PHP611 million, worth of defense equipment.
This marks the second OSA that Manila has received from Tokyo, following the first grant of 600 million Japanese yen, or about PHP235 million, which was allocated for coastal radars in 2023.
