The Japanese security grant to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Navy (PN) would greatly aid the two military services in going about their mandate of protecting the country’s vast territories.

Earlier, Japan said it will provide the PN with a coastal radar system and the PAF with an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) worth 4.3 billion Japanese yen (around PHP1.71 billion) under a security grant signed by ranking Filipino and Japanese officials

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kitagawa Katsuro signed the grant on Monday, and exchanged notes in Manila for the fiscal year 2026 project under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) program.

“The PAF welcomes this development, and (the) new asset will be a boost to our very own existing ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) assets. So, malaking bagay. (It is a big deal). And that (agreement) signing just highlights the continuing strengthening of relations between Japan and the Philippines,” Air Force spokesperson Col. Alvin Jay Capinguian said in a press briefing Tuesday.

Meanwhile, PN spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the Navy values Japan’s continued support through OSA.

“This would further enhance the maritime domain awareness capability of the PN and the Armed Force of the Philippines. Most specially, it would support the 360 degree maritime domain awareness of the CADC or the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense concept, as well as the Active Archipelagic Defense strategy of the PN,” she added.

The radar system and unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capability to monitor the country’s waters and surrounding sea lanes.

The OSA program provides grants for equipment, supplies and infrastructure to the armed forces and other relevant organizations of recipient countries to strengthen their security and deterrence capabilities. (PNA)