The United States will transfer two ships, US Coast Guard cutter ship and another research vessel, to the Philippine navy to help it navigate and patrol its territorial waters.
The two ships were part of a broader American plan to scale up assistance to naval forces in Southeast Asia, Philippines media reported Tuesday.
The announcement was made during US President Barack Obama's visit to a Philippine Navy vessel, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar in Manila.
"More capable navies, in partnership with the United States, are critical to the security of this region," Obama added.
The president also said he would seek for Congress to approve another $140 million in maritime security aid to Southeast Asia next year.
While China claims more than 80% of the South China Sea, there are overlapping claims from Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The territorial dispute has caused a row between Beijing and Washington, which has refused to recognize Chinese sovereignty claims in the region.
Roughly $5 trillion in trade passes through the South China Sea annually, and China views control of the waters as a key to its rise in economic and military power.
The Philippines Armed Forces (AFP) is charged of buying various weapons totalling P24.883 Billion (US $528 million) violating procurement laws
Philippines has backed US plan to deploy a naval ship close to Chinese man-made island in the South China Sea. Philippines says that it is important for the international community to safeguard freedom of navigation in the disputed waters, Philstar reported Tuesday
The Philippine Navys multipurpose attack vessels are being equipped with Israeli-made missiles, which will likely be inducted in the next three months, the navy chief said Thursday. The surface-to-surface missiles, called Spike ER,which have a range of 8 kilometers (5 miles), are being installed in three multipurpose attack vessels which were acquired earlier and will be ready for deployment in two to three months, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad was quoted as saying by AP after a maritime security forum in Manila
The Philippine Navy will receive three Israeli-built Spike ER (extended range) missile systems and two brand-new AgustaWestland AW-159 “Wildcat” anti-submarine helicopters this year. Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong was quoted as saying by
Chinas recent purchase of 24 Su-35 fighter jets will be used to patrol South China Sea to counter US. China entered into a contract to purchase the fighter jets for US $2 billion in November
Philippine will be receiving the first two FA-50 lead-in-fighter trainer jets Friday from Korea Aerospace Industries. The aircraft will land for the first time on Philippine soil at Clark Air Base in the country, Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Tuesday
Chinas biggest military drone, the CH-5 was displayed at an unmanned systems industry fair in Shenzhen on Friday. The CH-5 combat/reconnaissance drone, developed by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) made its first flight in August
Navantia Out; Naval Group, Saab and TKMS in $3B Dutch Walrus Replacement...
With No Foreign Patents, 500 Russian Arms Copied Abroad
Wind Tunnel Tests of Sino-Russian CRAIC CR929 Mockup Complete
AM General To Modernize Jordanian Fleet of 200 Humvee Vehicles
Germany To Finalise Order for 38 Eurofighter Jets, 110 E-Scan Radars
Turkish Navy to get First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier in 2020
Bechtel Bags US Navy's $1.4Bn Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components Contract
Su-57 Performs 16 Flights with New, Powerful Engine
Several joint production and direct procurement programs could be halted if the US and Europe carry through with their threat...
Sanctions-hit Iran has found ingenious ways to develop military hardware
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly permeating the defence industry to aid and improve human decision-making
Upgrade of Russias Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters to equip them with armaments, radar, sensors and engines from the more powerful Su-35...
US companies sanctioned by China for supplying weapons to Taiwan may be denied rare earth elements (REEs), which have critical...
While the US F-35 stealth aircraft has become one the fastest selling fighter jets in the world aircraft market, thanks...