The Australian Government has donated PHP34 million worth of drones and operator training to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), reinforcing the Philippine-Australia Strategic Partnership.
The package includes 20 world-class aerial drones, which will bolster the PCG’s strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities and assist the PCG to meet operational demands across its broad remit.
Drone specialists from Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Office of the Chief Remote Pilot travelled to the Philippines this week to deliver four days of training for 30 members of the PCG Aviation Command Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Squadron.
The drones were gifted by Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency HK Yu PSM FCPA (Aust) at a handover ceremony in Bataan, and received by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie G. Gavan.
“As this support further boosts our ability to pursue more precisely, appropriately, and sustainably our complex rights and obligations from being both a maritime and archipelagic country, this also greatly assists the PCG further advance its fundamental role as responsible protector of rules to help keep the peace and prosperity for our own people and all law-abiding users of our seas to enjoy,” said Admiral Gavan.
“Australia is proud of our long-standing cooperation with the PCG, and our efforts to provide practical support for their crucial work” said Ambassador Yu.
“I am pleased to deliver this package of state-of-the-art drones and training. It is a tangible example of our increased maritime cooperation with the Philippines and a contribution that supports PCG’s modernisation efforts”.
The equipment was provided as part of Australia’s civil maritime cooperation which also includes vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, and annual Law of the Sea courses.
Ambassador Yu announced in late 2024 that Australia would double its civil maritime cooperation with the Philippines to PHP649 million from 2025-29.
“This is another example of how we are putting our Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership into action” said Ambassador Yu.
Ausralia and the Philippines strengthened their civil maritime cooperation through a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation. The MoU continues to accelerate closer collaboration in promoting a shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and respect for international law.