Japan will provide the Philippines with a coastal surveillance radar system and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strengthen the country's maritime security capabilities amid continuing tensions and competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

According to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Katsuro Kitagawa and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro signed the defence equipment agreement during a ceremony in the Philippine capital.

The agreement, valued at 4.3 billion yen (approximately $27 million), provides for the delivery of a coastal surveillance radar system to the Philippine Navy and unmanned aerial vehicles to the Philippine Air Force.

The equipment is expected to enhance the Philippines' maritime surveillance and monitoring capabilities, particularly around strategically important sea lanes.

First transfer under Japan's OSA programme

The agreement marks the first transfer of completed Japanese-made defence equipment under Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme, which was launched in 2023.

The OSA programme was established to support the security needs of developing countries and strengthen the capacity of partner nations facing growing regional security challenges, including China's expanding influence. It serves as the security counterpart to Japan's long-standing official development assistance framework.

Tokyo expands defence cooperation

Japan has accelerated efforts to strengthen its defence industry and military capabilities in recent years.

Earlier this year, Tokyo eased restrictions on the export of lethal defence equipment and also agreed to begin negotiations on the possible transfer of used destroyers to the Philippines.

Separately, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam met in Tokyo on Monday and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, energy and economic security.

Following the meeting, Takaichi said Japan would accelerate planned security assistance for Vietnam to support its participation in international peacekeeping efforts.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a rules-based, "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision and signed a series of cooperation agreements covering nuclear energy, natural gas-fired power generation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

South China Sea disputes remain unresolved

China and the Philippines continue to have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, where repeated confrontations between coast guard vessels and naval forces have heightened regional tensions in recent years.

Vietnam is also involved in separate territorial disputes with China in the same waters.

Meanwhile, China has expanded its military activities near Japan, with Chinese Coast Guard vessels maintaining a regular presence around the Japanese-administered islands in the East China Sea that are also claimed by Beijing.(ILKHA)