Japan to give Philippines radar system and drones amid China tensions
The 4.3 billion yen deal was signed in Manila by the Philippine foreign secretary and Japan's ambassador to the Philippines.
Japan will provide a coastal radar system and unmanned aircraft to the Philippine military on Monday, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
The agreement, worth 4.3 billion yen, or $27 million, was signed in Manila by Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Katsuro Kitagawa, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.
Under the deal, Japan will also supply unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance missions to the Philippine Air Force.
The radar system will go to the Philippine Navy under Tokyo's 2023 Official Security Assistance program, and Kyodo News described it as the first transfer of completed Japanese-made defense equipment under that framework to a like-minded foreign country.
Japan's Foreign Ministry said the project is of great importance for deepening security cooperation with the Philippines, protecting key sea lanes used by Japan and supporting regional peace and stability.
Tokyo and Manila have expanded their bilateral security ties in recent years, and the two US allies in Asia share concerns about China's growing military activity in the Indo-Pacific.
China claims the Japan-controlled, uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and it remains in territorial disputes in the South China Sea with the Philippines and other countries.
Japan launched the Official Security Assistance program in 2023 to provide defense equipment and support to partner countries.
