The United States has donated two unmanned surface vessels valued at more than $8 million (P503 million) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), giving the military the ability to monitor larger areas of Philippine waters without deploying crews. The handover is part of a recent stretch of allied defense announcements involving Manila, which also includes formalized Japanese security assistance and a proposed four-nation coordination center detailed below.

"These American-made systems show the incredible strength of our alliance," US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said in a statement on Tuesday. "We are proud of the role that American technology and industry play in helping modernize the AFP and strengthening the Philippines' maritime capabilities."

The Devil Ray T38 vessels were handed over on Nov. 4 at the Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) Unmanned Center of Excellence in Subic Bay, Zambales province in northern Philippines. Ambassador Lipton formally turned the vessels over to Philippine Marine Corps Deputy Commandant Brigadier General Bayani V. Curaming.

Colonel Daniel Oh, the US Embassy's Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines, said the vessels can conduct extended surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, deliver supplies, and allow AFP personnel to direct missions remotely. Operating either remotely or autonomously, the craft reduce the need to deploy personnel aboard during maritime operations. According to Mr. Oh, the donation will enable the AFP to monitor wider areas for longer periods at a lower cost than crewed vessels.

The 11-meter Devil Ray T38, built by US defense technology company MARTAC, can reach speeds of more than 60 knots (111 kilometers per hour) and carry up to 1,814 kilograms of equipment. The US Embassy said the vessels can also support mine clearance and logistics missions.

Philippine and US officials described the turnover as part of the two allies' defense cooperation and their efforts to improve the country's maritime surveillance capabilities. The delivery coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Manila and Washington and the 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty.

Philippines and Japan Formalize Defense and Infrastructure Initiatives

The Philippines and Japan have also formalized two cooperation initiatives covering defense assistance and water infrastructure in Mindanao. On Oct. 26, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Katsuro Kitagawa exchanged diplomatic notes covering Japan's official security assistance for fiscal year 2026 and a project to improve the water supply system in Cotabato City.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the defense assistance will support training, cooperation and joint activities between the AFP and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Japan's support for the Cotabato City project forms part of its assistance for development in Mindanao, the agency said.

The initiatives fall under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in May during President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s state visit to Japan. The two countries are marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year.

Four Nations Plan Combined Coordination Center

Meanwhile, the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia are planning to establish a Combined Coordination Center in the Philippines to improve military coordination and support the country's defense, the Department of National Defense said in a statement on Tuesday. The proposal was among the commitments made by the four countries' defense chiefs during a meeting on Oct. 28 in Cebu, held alongside the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus. The center remains at the planning stage, and how it progresses from proposal to establishment is the next development to watch in the four countries' defense cooperation.

The four countries also agreed to coordinate defense investments, hold more policy consultations, and expand joint military exercises and maritime activities. They expressed concern over developments in the East and South China Seas and opposed unilateral actions involving force or coercion that could heighten tensions and undermine regional stability, the department said.