The equipment delivered by Washington collects data on the surface and underwater
The United States Embassy in the Philippines announced on Tuesday the delivery of four autonomous surface and underwater vehicles to the Philippine armed forces, in a context of tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.
“The delivery of this equipment, valued at 754 million Philippine pesos [cerca de 11,3 milhões de euros]demonstrates the commitment [dos Estados Unidos] with a free and open Indo-Pacific, by strengthening the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges and illegal activities at sea,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement.
The devices are Triton autonomous vehicles, capable of collecting oceanographic data both on the surface and underwater. Powered by solar energy, each unit can operate for up to 30 consecutive days.
“The Indo-Pacific maritime domain is vast, contested and crucial, and the Philippines is at the heart of it,” said US Embassy Acting Chargé d’Affaires Bridgette Walker, adding that the South China Sea “requires constant, long-term surveillance that no single ship or aircraft can ensure.”
In May, during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore – Asia’s main annual security forum – the Philippines criticized China’s activities in these waters, where Manila and Beijing dispute the sovereignty of several islands.
In recent years, there have been frequent incidents involving vessels and aircraft from both countries in this strategic area, through which around 30% of global maritime trade passes and which is home to important fishing areas and potential oil and gas reserves.
The main fear is that the region will become a scenario of confrontation between Beijing and Washington. Although the United States does not have direct territorial claims in the South China Sea, it maintains a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.
Since the coming to power of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, Manila has intensified defense cooperation with the United States.
