The Philippines Monday took delivery of two Japanese military surveillance aircraft to help it patrol vital sea lanes in the…
MANILA —
The Philippines Monday took delivery of two Japanese military surveillance aircraft to help it patrol vital sea lanes in the South China Sea, despite Manila’s increasingly conciliatory stance to Beijing’s claims over the disputed waters.
Japan will lease a total of five surplus Beechcraft TC-90 planes to the Philippines, according to Manila’s defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Philippine military chief General Eduardo Ano said the new planes would be deployed over Benham Rise and the South China Sea.
Japan’s attempt to bolster defense cooperation with Manila comes at a time of heightened regional concern over China’s activities in disputed waters.
“As we are faced with many security-related issues in the Asia-Pacific, including those in the South China Sea, our cooperation with the Philippines for the regional security and stability is now even more significant,” Japanese Defense Minister Kenji Wakamiya said at a ceremony to hand over the planes.
