Philippines receives five coastal radar systems from Japan

The Philippines has received five Coastal Radar Systems from the government of Japan, the Department of National Defense (DND) reported Thursday.

The handover, under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) FY 2023, was led by Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines His Excellency Endo Kazuya during a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo.

The milestone highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan, anchored on a shared commitment to maritime security, regional stability and the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Funded under the OSA FY 2023 grant amounting to JPY 600,000,000.00, the Coastal Radar Systems will significantly enhance the Philippine Navy's maritime domain awareness. The project includes radar units, surveillance and monitoring equipment, communications systems and other support components designed to strengthen coastal monitoring and maritime security operations.

The integration of these systems is expected to expand surveillance coverage, improve early detection and tracking of surface contacts, and enhance coordination in maritime operations. The capability will support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and other lawful security operations.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Endo symbolically handed over the ceremonial token to Secretary Teodoro, who subsequently turned it over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Navy, signifying the operational integration of the systems into the country’s maritime defense framework.

In his message, Ambassador Endo underscored the strategic significance of the assistance, stating, “This occasion marks not only the transfer of critical equipment from Japan to the Philippines but also a meaningful milestone in the steadily deepening partnership between our two countries.”

He emphasized that “peace and stability cannot be taken for granted. It must be actively and collectively sustained,” and noted that the radar systems are “expected to significantly enhance the country’s maritime domain awareness by improving the ability to monitor activities in the surrounding waters.”

For his part, Secretary Teodoro expressed the Philippines’ appreciation for Japan’s steadfast and principled partnership.

“I would like to thank the Government of Japan for the concrete contributions in widening and deepening our bilateral and multilateral ties, with the end in view of a free and open Indo-Pacific and maintaining regional peace and stability,” Secretary Teodoro said.

He also emphasized that the Philippines–Japan partnership is built on shared principles, mutual trust and enduring values.

“There is mutual trust and sincerity. Japan's approach to its bilateral relations with the Philippines has been rooted in fundamental sincerity and values,” the Defense Chief added.

Also present during the event were Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Lea Victoria T. Carada; Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel P. Roldan; and Acting Flag Officer-in-Command and Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy Maj. Gen. Edwin E. Amadar.

Japan’s OSA, established under its 2022 National Security Strategy, provides assistance to like-minded countries to deepen security cooperation. Since the launch of OSA in 2023, the Philippines has been the only country to receive OSA for three consecutive years, underscoring the high level of trust and strategic significance Japan places on the partnership.

The ceremonial handover marks another significant step in the evolving Philippines–Japan defense partnership, reinforcing both nations’ shared vision of a secure, stable and rules-based regional order.