[ad_1]
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Navy has received eight drones worth P710 million from the United States, a set of equipment that, according to Navy officials, would serve as an “eye in the sky” for better maritime patrols across the country. .
The Insitu ScanEagle 2 unmanned aerial systems were handed over by US officials to Vice Admiral Chief of the Philippine Navy Giovanni Carlo Bacordo in a ceremony at Sangley Point, Cavite City on Wednesday (November 25).
The drone rotation came two days after US officials also delivered P868 million in precision-guided munitions to the Philippine military.
The drones were under the US government’s Maritime Security Initiative, which was created in 2015 to assist allies in the region. The drone package included two launchers, a skyhook, and a ground control station.
Vice Admiral Erick Kagaoan, representing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, said the drone rotation “would enhance the Philippine Navy’s readiness for territorial defense, internal security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response and international defense “.
“Above all, this will significantly boost our awareness of maritime dominance, especially in the Western Philippine Sea,” he said.
Similar drones were acquired by the Philippine Air Force in 2018 from the United States. Kagaoan said the PAF drones are being operated by the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing on Palawan, the closest island to Spratlys in the Western Philippine Sea.
Kimberly Kelly, acting deputy director of mission for the United States, said the ScanEagle will improve mutual maritime and domain awareness.
Bacordo said the drones will “expand coverage” of Philippine Navy patrols.
“It has given us another option to expand coverage that is less expensive and less risky for our staff,” he said.
The drones, which could be deployed from ships, are capable of staying in the air for 12 to 15 hours compared to 2 to 3 hours for helicopters.
“We don’t have to really deploy people,” Bacordo said. He said that drones have a longer coverage “due to the flight time, which is 12 to 15 hours, while if we send a helicopter it is only about two hours.”
Unmanned aerial systems could also be used for other missions such as internal security operations, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
The new team would be deployed with the Maritime Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron (MUARS 71), a recently activated team from the Naval Air Wing that would be based in the city of San Antonio, Zambales province.
TSB
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
