Makati city: Australia is set to provide PHP110 million worth of additional drones and maritime domain awareness-related technology to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu announced Friday. Speaking at the Stratbase ADRI forum in Makati City, Yu detailed the new assistance package, which will be delivered over the next couple of years and will include equipment, training, and integration support.

According to Philippines News Agency, the support goes beyond physical assets, encompassing operational training, support, and an integration package. 'This capability uplift is another example of Australia's ongoing commitment to provide tangible assistance to the Philippines to boost its maritime domain awareness,' Yu stated.

The new assistance is in addition to the PHP34 million worth of drones and operator training recently provided by Australia to the PCG. In April, Australia handed over 20 world-class aerial drones to the Philippines, aimed at enhancing the PCG's strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities. These drones are part of Canberra's civil maritime cooperation with Manila, which also involves vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, and annual Law of the Sea courses.

Beyond equipment provision, Canberra is increasing its cyber support for the PCG, recognizing its role as a front-liner at sea and in the country's cyberspace. 'Through the DFAT's (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program, we are stepping up cyber capacity building support to the Philippines as a priority partner country,' Yu emphasized.

Australia is dedicated to supporting the PCG, the Philippine National Police, and various other departments as they enhance their capabilities to mitigate and respond to cyber incidents. Last year, Yu announced that Australia would double its civil maritime cooperation commitment with the Philippines to PHP649 million from 2025 to 2029.