Japan announced the largest military aid shipment to the Philippines to date.
Tokyo will transfer to Manila a coastal radar station and UAVs worth about 27 million dollars.
The agreement was signed on November 9, 2026 in Manila as part of Japan's official security assistance program. The signing was attended by Japanese Ambassador Kitagawa Katsuro and Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Teresa Lazaro.
Lazaro said the Philippines and Japan "took a natural and historic step" by raising their ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Kitagawa noted that Japan's advanced technology will "greatly help in securing vital sea lanes" by improving the Philippines' maritime awareness and surveillance capabilities.