US Delivers P710 Million PH Spy Drone to Boost Maritime Defense and Security

MANILA – The US embassy in Manila on Wednesday delivered a 710 million pesos unmanned drone system to the Philippine Navy in a bid to increase the army’s maritime defense and border security capabilities.

The ScanEagle unmanned aerial system is intended to help provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) 71 Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron, its main unit in intelligence operations, an embassy statement said.

Vice Admiral Erick Kagaoan, AFP’s deputy chief of staff, welcomed the military equipment and said it would be used by the military in Palawan, which is near the disputed Western Philippine Sea.

“This new asset will complement the same type that is being operated by the 300 Aviation Intelligence and Security Wing at the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is very close to the disputed areas in the Western Philippine Sea that need our constant attention. “Kagaoan said. .

The drone system will also help the Philippine military assess areas that need rapid action in relation to territorial defense and security, according to the Philippine fleet commander, Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe.

“Apart from its main use for [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] The UAS ScanEagle will greatly assist our organization in the effective assessment of subject areas, timely decision-making, and rapid action in conducting territorial defense, internal security operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response. ”Said Bernabé.

The move is part of the US support for the AFP modernization plan, the US Embassy said, which includes “subsidies and accelerated sale of weapons and ammunition” for “urgent maritime security, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and relief requirements. in disasters. “

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed last week that AFP also expects some P869 million in US military equipment next month, describing it as “precision-guided munitions that can be launched with pinpoint precision.”

The transfer of military and defense equipment was discussed in a meeting he had with US Charge d’Affaires John Law in early November at Camp Aguinaldo, he said.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kimberly Kelly and representatives of the United States Joint Military Assistance Group from the United States Embassy in the Philippines delivered the ScanEagle unmanned aerial system to Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, flag officer at the command of the Philippine Navy, at the Heracleo Alano naval base at Sangley Point, Cavite.

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