Japan is providing the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force at least 1.6 billion Japanese yen or approximately PHP611 million worth of defense equipment.
The Philippines was among the four countries Japan identified as recipient of its Official Security Assistance (OSA) for fiscal year 2024.
This is the second OSA that Manila is receiving from Tokyo, following the first 600 million Japanese yen or about PHP235 million grant aid that was spent on coastal radars in 2023.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya signed and exchanged the diplomatic notes on the new OSA at a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also present.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the fresh aid would cover the provision of rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), coastal radar systems and other equipment to improve the Philippine Navy’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities.
The Philippine Air Force, meanwhile, would receive air surveillance radar system-related equipment to help further improve its monitoring and surveillance capabilities.
“We sincerely hope that the provision of these items will be of great use for our friends facing strategic challenges. All of these elements are aimed at safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and securing national territory through improving its MDA capabilities and monitoring and surveillance capabilities,” Endo said.
“As we strengthen our support towards the Philippines, we also hope to contribute to the security and stability of the region — ultimately driving towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.
In an interview on the sidelines of the signing, Manalo said this initiative “only solidifies the strong and growing collaboration between the Philippines and Japan in promoting peace and stability in the region”.
The Philippines is one of the first recipients of Japan’s OSA scheme that was launched in 2023, bringing its total OSA to the country to JPY2.2 billion. (PNA)
