TOKYO – Japan will provide the Philippines with 4.3 billion yen in defense equipment, including a coastal radar system and surveillance drones, marking the first transfer of a defense equipment under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) program.
The project covers a coastal radar system for the Philippine Navy and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and surveillance by the Philippine Air Force, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nov. 9.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Katsuro Kitagawa and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro signed and exchanged diplomatic notes for the fiscal 2026 project in Manila.
The assistance is expected to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness and surveillance capabilities.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the Philippines’ location along important sea lanes, including the South China Sea and Luzon Strait, gives it an important role in regional security.
The project is also intended to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries and contribute to regional peace and stability, the ministry said.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said continued Japanese support for the country’s defense posture builds on recent milestones in bilateral defense relations.
These developments have expanded training opportunities, strengthened collaboration and enhanced interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan Self-Defense Forces.
“This reaffirms our shared commitment in enhancing Philippine defense capability,” Lazaro said in a post on X.
Japan’s OSA program, launched in fiscal 2023, provides equipment, supplies and infrastructure assistance to the armed forces and other security-related organizations of partner countries. It aims to strengthen their security and deterrence capabilities while contributing to regional and international peace and security. - Florenda Corpuz
