By Brian Campued
The Philippines formally received five coastal radar systems from the Japanese government on Wednesday, which are expected to enhance the Philippine Navy’s (PN) monitoring capabilities.
During the turnover ceremony graced at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the milestone is part of Manila and Tokyo’s deeper defense partnership.
“I would like to thank the Government of Japan for the concrete contributions in widening and deepening our bilateral and multilateral ties, with the end in view of a free and open Indo-Pacific and maintaining regional peace and stability,” Teodoro said.
The Defense chief noted that the radar systems will support the Philippines’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and other lawful security operations.
The equipment was provided to the Philippines under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) Framework in 2023, amounting to JP¥600 million. It includes radar units, surveillance and monitoring equipment, communications systems, and other support components designed to strengthen coastal monitoring and maritime security operations of the PN.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya emphasized the importance of critical equipment in bolstering the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness in its surrounding waters.
“Peace and stability cannot be taken for granted. It must be actively and collectively sustained,” he said.
Since the launch of the OSA in 2023, the Philippines has been the only country to receive OSA for three consecutive years, underscoring the high level of trust and strategic significance Japan places on its partnership with the country.
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