Australia to Provide Philippines With Drones, Training, Tech to Counter China’s Belligerence

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong shake hands during a joint press conference, at a hotel in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, on May 18, 2023. Lisa Marie David - Pool/Getty Images

Australia will provide the Philippines with drone equipment, training, and other technology to strengthen its Coast Guard maritime domain, awareness, and protection capabilities.

The announcement follows a visit to the Philippines by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on May 18 and comes as the Southeast Asian nation is engaged in an increasingly hostile maritime dispute with Beijing.