Japan, Philippines Sign $10.65M Deal to Boost Maritime Security

A security assistance agreement worth 1.6 billion yen ($10.65 million) was inked between Japan and the Philippines to strengthen the Southeast Asian country's maritime security and surveillance capabilities in the face of increased South China Sea tensions.

Under its Overseas Security Assistance program, Japan will equip the Philippine Navy with coastal radar systems and rigid-hulled inflatable boats to improve its marine domain awareness capabilities. The project will be important for Japan's security and is anticipated to help preserve and improve regional security as well as the security of the key sea lanes, according to Japan's embassy in Manila.

It further stated that equipment will be sent to the Philippine Air Force to support its air surveillance radar system, increasing monitoring capabilities.

"The strengthened security cooperation reflects Japan and the Philippines' shared commitment to regional peace and stability," the Philippines' Department of National Defense said in a statement. 　

Japan and the Philippines struck a historic military agreement in July that facilitated military cooperation between the two nations by permitting the deployment of forces on each other's territory.