Japan Signs 4.3 Billion Yen Security Assistance Package for the Philippines: First Defense Equipment Transfer Under OSA Brings Coastal Radar and Drones
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 9 that KITAGAWA Katsuro, Japan's Ambassador to the Philippines, signed and exchanged notes the same day in Manila with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro for a 4.3 billion yen project under Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) program for fiscal 2026.
The project is the first defense equipment transfer under Japan's OSA framework: Japan will provide a coastal radar system, classified as defense equipment, to the Philippine Navy, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and surveillance to the Philippine Air Force. The ministry said the project is expected to further enhance the maritime domain awareness and surveillance capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The ministry noted that the Philippines faces important sea lanes including the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait and plays an important role in regional security, and that it is a Comprehensive Strategic Partner as Japan works toward its updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision. Japan said the project is of great importance in promoting security cooperation between the two countries, enhancing the security of sea lanes vital to Japan, and contributing to regional peace and stability.
OSA is a grant aid framework established by Japan in 2023 that provides equipment, supplies and infrastructure assistance to the armed forces and related organizations of recipient countries to strengthen their security and deterrence capabilities.
(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：菲律宾海军AW-159反潜直升机在军舰甲板上进行系留作业（资料图）。公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A Philippine Navy AW-159 anti-submarine helicopter secured on a warship's flight deck (file photo). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
