US Sending Drones, Radars & Coastal Defenses to Philippines

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

A massively strengthened and expanded US diplomatic and military alliance with the Philippines introduces critical new deterrence variables in the Pacific for US and allied efforts to contain Chinese expansion in the South China Sea and possible annexation of Taiwan.

An interesting essay from Nova.news specifies that, following his visit to Manila earlier this year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said talks were underway to move “priority defensive platforms” to the Philippines. 

The US will send “radars, drones, military transport aircraft, and air and coastal defense systems,” Nova.news states. 

The US-Philippine alliance was cited recently by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks who highlighted breakthrough progress in a series of US partnerships in the region.

“I don’t think anyone could look at the U.S./Philippine defense to defense relationship a couple of years ago and have expected us to achieve the kinds of agreements that we now have. The ability to bring South Korea and Japan together with the United States, incredible. AUKUS, incredible. Lots of really positive momentum and real gains there that we know are having deterrent value on the Chinese,” Hicks told a Defense Writers Group in November, according to a published transcript of the exchange.

The US-Philippine relationship has a strong and impactful history, yet it is something which has gained momentum recently following Chinese provocations. In recent months, a Chinese ship “collided” with a Philippine vessel, raising tensions to a new level in the region. The Philippines are positioned in an extremely important location as they are further South in the Pacific ocean closer to the South China Sea and Taiwan.