Japan to provide defence equipment to Philippines, 3 other nations

Japan plans to provide defence equipment to the Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia and Djibouti under its official security assistance to the armed forces of like-minded countries that share its values, a government source said Saturday.

The four countries have been designated as the recipients of the OSA grant aid for fiscal 2024 through March next year, with Japan earmarking 5 billion yen ($33 million) in its initial budget for the current fiscal year, the source said.

Tokyo launched the OSA in April 2023 to help recipient countries ramp up their defence capabilities amid security concerns like China’s growing military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the source, Japan plans to provide the Philippines with radar to help the Southeast Asian country deal with China’s expanding military presence in the West Philippines Sea.

Philippine vessels have been encountering Beijing’s repeated aggressive actions in the West Philippines Sea, where there are overlapping territorial claims among countries such as the Philippines and China.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire West Philippines Sea and Natuna Sea.

Last year, the Japanese government decided to provide Manila with a coastal surveillance radar system under the new grant aid program.

The Philippines had been designated as an OSA recipient for fiscal 2023 along with Malaysia, Bangladesh and Fiji.

Mongolia, bordering China and Russia, is expected to be given air traffic control equipment, while Indonesia and Djibouti could receive equipment, possibly vessels, to ensure their maritime security, the source said.