Japan boosts PH maritime surveillance

February 23 ------ Japan formally turned over coastal radar systems to the Philippines marking the country’s first project under Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework and underscoring the deepening security partnership between the two nations.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo attended the handover ceremony with Gilberto Teodoro Jr., secretary of the Department of National Defense. The radar systems were provided through a 600 million yen OSA grant agreed upon during then–Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to the Philippines in November 2023. The exchange of notes at the time made the Philippines the first recipient of Japan’s OSA assistance.

In his remarks, Endo said the systems are expected to strengthen Philippine coastal surveillance and maritime domain awareness, contributing to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. He also welcomed the steady expansion of security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines. Teodoro expressed gratitude for Japan’s support in modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to close coordination with Tokyo in the security field. The radar systems are intended to support the Philippine Navy’s coastal monitoring capabilities.

OSA is Japan’s grant aid framework that provides equipment, supplies and infrastructure support to the armed forces and related organizations of partner countries. By enhancing security and deterrence capabilities, the program seeks to strengthen Japan’s security cooperation with recipients and contribute to international peace and stability.

Source: manilatimes.net