The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 20 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) from the Australian government can "extend the reach" of its ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"It can extend the reach of our ships and we will be able to see a wider area. We will be able to save fuel and make it (the operation) less risky to our people", PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said in a handover ceremony in Camaya Coast Resort in Mariveles on Tuesday.

The P34 million worth of twenty aerial drones were donated by Australia Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, "reinforcing the Philippine-Australia Strategic Partnership". A four-day drone training for 30 members of the PCG Aviation Command Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Squadron was also conducted by drone specialists from Australia.

"This support further boosts our ability to pursue more precisely and more appropriately our complex rights and obligations from being both a maritime and archipelagic country," Gavan said.

Gavan said that the drones will be brought to the aviation command and are expected to be used in high density districts.

"The 20 unmanned air assistance will significantly enhance our maritime domain awareness capabilities. These capabilities are crucial to the effective and efficient conduct of our operation mandates. This includes ... maritime security, maritime safety, search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection, and most significantly national regional security", he added.

In 2024 the Philippines and Australia strengthened their civil maritime cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation that was doubled to P649 million from 2025 to 2029.

"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 (Philippine Coast Guard's) modernization efforts", Yu said. Marie Manalili/DMS