Pasay City: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) stated that Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) will enable it to boost its maritime domain awareness (MDA) capability. "We have actually a very progressively increasing defense relationship, a very healthy defense relationship with our ally that is Japan. The OSA will provide us avenues to increase or enhance our capabilities particularly on MDA," PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura said in an interview with reporters at Villamor Air Base, Tuesday afternoon.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cordura made the remark when asked about the benefits of the Philippines' inclusion in the OSA for the PAF. MDA involves understanding activities, events, and conditions in the maritime environment that could impact security, safety, and the economy.
"Our priority here is our sensors, radars. In addition, OSA allows us (to) access HADR (humanitarian assistance disaster relief) platforms also, and equipment," Cordura stated. "So, these are amongst the capability requirements that are already incorporated and up for obligation under the OSA to be delivered by our partner that is Japan," he added.
The Philippines was named among the four countries Japan identified as recipients of its OSA for fiscal year 2024. Japan provided the PAF and the Philippine Navy with at least 1.6 billion Japanese yen, or approximately PHP611 million worth of defense equipment. This marks the second OSA that Manila has received from Tokyo, following a previous 600 million Japanese yen, or about PHP235 million grant aid, which was spent on coastal radars in 2023.
