Philippine receives US Triton unmanned systems

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government turned over four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness.

The US embassy in Manila said yesterday the delivery of the systems, valued at approximately P754 million ($13 million), demonstrates the US commitment to the US-Philippines alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific, by enhancing the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges and illegal maritime activities. 

Such assets, Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said, will contribute greatly to the military’s continuing efforts to modernize and adapt to emerging challenges.

Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Cabahug-Orbe, Philippine Navy Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit acting chief Lt. Cmdr. Aldwin Pasicolan, US embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bridgette Walker and US embassy senior defense official and chief of the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines Col. Daniel Oh led the turnover ceremony on Monday at the Philippine Navy’s Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales.

The Triton AUSVs are capable of collecting data above and below the ocean’s surface through a resilient mesh network. 

The Tritons are solar-powered, allowing each unit to operate for up to 30 days for improved decision-making at the tactical and operational levels.

Trilateral exercise

Meanwhile, the AFP with its counterparts from Indonesia and Malaysia continued to enhance its tri-border security following the successful conclusion of the weeklong maritime and air patrol exercise in the borders off Tawi-Tawi, an official said yesterday. 

The annual exercise is part of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement that kicked off last June 16 in Zamboanga City, the Western Mindanao Naval Command reported.