Australia conducts drone training to PCG for maritime security

Australia has provided its second round of drone training to Philippine Coast Guard personnel aimed at improving the country’s maritime security capabilities, its embassy in Manila said Friday.

The training follows the delivery of P36 million worth of world-class aerial drones and associated training to PCG in April 2025, the embassy said.

Australian experts on November 24 to 28 conducted in Laguna a specialized drone operator training to 30 PCG officers, spanning night and daytime drone operations and maintenance.

“This training is another example of Australia’s steadfast commitment to supporting PCG’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and modernization agenda” Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said.

In July this year, Australia has committed to provide up to P110 million in additional drones and other uncrewed maritime domain awareness technologies to the Philippines.

“This endeavour is instrumental in harnessing our full potential to strengthen our service and to contribute to global maritime security efforts,” said PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan.

Australia, which has been providing maritime security assistance to Manila in recent years, is the second country after the United States with a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, allowing military drills in each other’s territory.

“We are proud to stand with the brave men and women of the PCG as they work to enhance maritime security and uphold international law,” Innes-Brown said. 

Manila has a similar agreement with Japan, New Zealand and Canada. Negotiations for the same accord are ongoing with other Western countries, including France and United Kingdom, as the Philippines seeks to expand its alliances and upgrade its defense capacity amid an increasingly aggressive China in the South China Sea, which has flared in recent years.

The years-long disputes also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. (Michaela Del Callar)