Australia provides underwater drones and UAV systems to the Philippines

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Australia will provide an aid package worth 413 million pesos (approximately Rp119.59 billion) in the form of underwater drones, anti-drone systems, and heavy long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the new 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 give to our cooperation in contributing to building your maritime resilience,” Wong said in a statement from the Australian Embassy in Manila on Tuesday.

Australia’s 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.

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

The programme includes the provision of equipment, training for specialists, marine environmental protection programmes, maritime governance reform, and studies in international maritime law.