MANILA, Philippines — The United States has provided two Devil Ray T38 unmanned surface vessels (USVs), valued at over $8 million, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), demonstrating America’s commitment to its oldest security treaty ally in Asia.
The US Embassy on Tuesday said the American-made vessels support the Philippines’ capability to "safeguard its sovereign rights; and enhancing maritime domain awareness as part of the two countries’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific."
“These American-made systems show the incredible strength of our Alliance," US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said during the turnover of the USVs to the Philippine Marines (PM).
Lipton delivered the vessels to PM Corps Deputy Commandant Brig. Gen. Bayani Curaming on November 4 during a ceremony at the newly opened Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. Unmanned Center of Excellence in Subic Bay, Zambales.
“This year, we mark 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years of the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines,” the ambassador said.
“We are proud of the role that American technology and industry play in helping modernize the AFP and strengthening the Philippines’ maritime capabilities,” Lipton said.
Colonel Daniel Oh, chief of the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines, said these vessels "can conduct extended surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, deliver supplies, and allow AFP personnel to direct missions from a safe distance."
They will strengthen the AFP’s "growing autonomous fleet, expanding its ability to monitor wider areas of Philippine waters for longer periods at a lower cost than crewed vessels,” Oh said.
Curaming said the turnover of the USVs reflected the "growing importance of emerging technologies in addressing the evolving demands of maritime security."
“This undertaking reflects a longstanding partnership based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a common commitment to maritime security,” he added.