Australia Provides Underwater Drones to Long-Range UAVs for Philippine Coast Guard

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO/USS Charleston (LCS-18) in the South China Sea/DOK US Navy

JAKARTA - Australia will provide a package of assistance worth 413 million pesos (about Rp119.59 billion) in the form of underwater drones, anti-drone systems, and heavy and long-range UAV drones for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the new aid package during her visit to the Philippines. In addition to sending equipment, the program includes training for Philippine Coast Guard drone operators.

"This reflects the high priority that Australia places on our civil maritime partnership with you, and the high priority we place on our cooperation to contribute to building your maritime resilience," Wong said in a statement from the Australian Embassy in Manila, Tuesday, July 21.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown noted that the drone previously provided by Canberra had been used by the Philippine Coast Guard in maritime security operations, search and rescue missions, and environmental protection efforts.

In addition, Australia announced the launch of a separate four-year civilian maritime assistance program worth 678 million pesos (Rp196.4 billion).

This program includes the provision of equipment, training for specialists, marine environmental protection programs, maritime governance reform, and international maritime law studies.