Australia provides underwater drones and UAV systems to the Philippines

Australia will provide a 413 million peso (approximately Rp119.59 billion) aid package comprising underwater drones, anti-drone systems, and heavy, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Philippine Coast Guard. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the new assistance package during her visit to the Philippines. In addition to the delivery of equipment, the programme includes training for Philippine Coast Guard drone operators. “This reflects the high priority 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 on Tuesday. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown noted that drones previously provided by Canberra are already being used by the Philippine Coast Guard in maritime security operations, search and rescue missions, and environmental protection efforts. Furthermore, Australia announced the launch of a separate four-year civil maritime assistance programme worth 678 million pesos (Rp196.4 billion). This programme encompasses the provision of equipment, training for specialists, marine environmental protection programmes, maritime governance reform, and the study of international maritime law.