US Navy's newest maritime surveillance plane deployed from Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Navy's most advanced air asset was deployed from the Clark Air Base in the Philippines to gather information on the South China Sea.

The US 7th Fleet Public Affairs division said on Thursday the P-8A Poseidon, its newest maritime intelligence-gathering aircraft, made more than 180 flight hours from February 1 to February 21.

The aircraft was manned by Pelicans of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 "to strengthen maritime partnerships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," the Navy said.

On February 17, VP-45 hosted members of the Philippine Air Force and Navy aboard the P-8A Poseidon to familiarize themselves with the aircraft's technology.

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The crew demonstrated the plane's capabilities in both the littoral and open ocean environment during the bilateral patrol mission off Luzon.

American Navy Lt. Matthew Pool, Combat Air Crew patrol plane commander, said he and his comrades were delighted to share the experience with their Filipino counterparts.

"It was a remarkable opportunity to work alongside the members of the Filipino Armed Forces," Pool said. "Sharing this aircraft's capabilities with our allies only strengthens our bonds."

The US Navy said the P-8A is the "most advanced long range anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world," able to provide superior maritime intelligence.

The P-8A, built on a Boeing 737 airframe, is quieter and requires less maintenance than its predecessor, the P-3 Lockheed Orion, it said.

In August 2014, a US P-8A Poseidon was buzzed by a Chinese J-11BB jet over the South China Sea. Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral Jon Kirby described the Chinese's barrel roll "very, very close, very dangerous."

The US Navy said the detachment of the P-8A in the Philippines this month was a manifestation of Washington's commitment to the Asia-Pacific rebalancing that promises to deploy American military's "best and most advanced" assets in the region.

The P-8A Poseidon in its development stage before being placed in US Navy service. Boeing/Released

Washington has been criticized for the emphasis of the military aspect President Barack Obama's rebalance strategy that presents itself as an apparent attempt to restrain the rise of China's force.

Officials have said, however, that an increased economic and political engagement in the region are also key aspects of the rebalance, which has faced constraints the past years due to budget woes.