By Robina Asido

The Air Surveillance Radar System acquired from Japan is making an "extremely large contribution" not just to aerial defense but also to the peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Japan Defense Minister Nakatani Gen recognized the significant contribution of its Air Surveillance Radar System in the Philippines after visiting Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga and Wallace Air Station in San Fernando City, La Union on Sunday.

"With regard to this visit, I first visited Basa Air Base and Wallace Air Station yesterday with Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro (Jr). I was able to actually feel the great role that the Philippines plays in this region, including the South China Sea," Nakatani said in his speech following his bilateral meeting with Teodoro in Makati on Monday.

"In particular, I was very encouraged by my close observation that Japanese air surveillance radar systems are making an extremely large contribution to the air defense of the Philippines and the peace and stability in the South China Sea," he added.

Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, Philippine Air Force public affairs office chief, said during the visit to Basa Air Base, the Japanese delegation toured its vital facilities and briefed on the PAF's air defense units and capabilities, highlighting its crucial role in safeguarding Philippine airspace and enhancing regional stability while the visit at the Wallace Air Station focused on the PAF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen air defense through the Air Surveillance Radar System (ASRS) Acquisition Project with Japan.

Under this P5,500,000,000 project which covers the delivery of four Air Surveillance Radar Systems, consisting of three fixed and one mobile radar platforms, the PAF formally accepted one fixed radar in December 2023, followed by a mobile radar in April 2024.

Castillo said the third radar system from Japan was delivered in January 2024, with its final Technical Inspection and Acceptance (TIA) scheduled for next month.

"An additional fixed radar is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year, further bolstering the Philippines' air domain awareness capabilities," she said. DMS