Manila: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced that the five coastal surveillance radars, provided by the Japanese government through its Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program, can be easily integrated into the Philippines' existing military radar systems.
According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro assured that the integration issues have been addressed before the OSA was granted, ensuring that these systems are interoperable with the country's main defense systems. He refrained from providing further details on the integration process for security reasons.
The Philippine military currently utilizes a variety of radar systems for coastal monitoring and air surveillance. The five coastal surveillance radars, valued at 600 million yen, were formally transferred to the Philippines on February 11. These systems, which will be managed by the Philippine Navy, include radar units, surveillance and monitoring equipment, communications systems, and other support components aimed at enhancing coastal monitoring and maritime security.
The integration of these new systems is anticipated to expand surveillance coverage, improve early detection and tracking of surface contacts, and enhance coordination in maritime operations. This capability will support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance missions, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other lawful security operations.
The agreement for these radar systems was finalized during the November 2023 visit of former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the Philippines, where both nations exchanged notes for the provision of this equipment to the Philippine Navy. Teodoro expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its contributions to strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties, with a focus on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific Region, as well as regional peace and stability.
Teodoro also expressed optimism about the future of the Philippines' relationship with Japan, attributing its strength to the mutual trust and sincerity shared by the two nations. He emphasized that Japan's approach to its bilateral relations with the Philippines is based on sincerity and shared values.
