Japan To Supply Philippines With Coastal Radar And Drones Under $27 Million Defence Deal

Japan will supply the Philippines with coastal surveillance radar and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under a $27 million defence agreement, as both countries strengthen security cooperation amid rising tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Katsuro Kitagawa and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro signed the 4.3 billion yen ($27 million) agreement in Manila on Monday, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.

Under the deal, the Philippine Navy will receive a coastal surveillance radar system, while the Philippine Air Force will receive unmanned aircraft. The equipment is intended to improve the country's maritime security and surveillance capabilities, particularly given its proximity to strategically important international sea lanes.

The agreement marks the first transfer of completed Japanese-made defence equipment under Tokyo's Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme. Established in 2023 as a military counterpart to Japan's official development assistance framework, the programme aims to help developing countries strengthen their security capabilities amid China's expanding regional influence.

Japan has been accelerating its military modernisation and defence industry expansion. Earlier this year, Tokyo lifted restrictions on lethal weapons exports. Japan and the Philippines have also agreed to begin discussions on a potential arrangement that could allow Japan to supply used destroyers to the Philippine Navy.

Separately, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam held talks in Tokyo on Monday, agreeing to deepen cooperation in defence, energy and economic security.

Takaichi said Japan would accelerate its planned security assistance to Vietnam to support its contribution to international peacekeeping. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based, free and open Indo-Pacific.

They also signed cooperation agreements covering nuclear energy, gas-fired power generation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The developments come against the backdrop of growing maritime disputes involving China. Beijing and Manila have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, where confrontations between sailors and collisions involving vessels have occurred in recent years. Vietnam also disputes China's claims in the region.

Meanwhile, Chinese military activity near Japan's coastline and the continued presence of Chinese coast guard vessels around Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea have added to regional security concerns.