Philippines Buys $400Mn Patrol Vessels From Japan To Boost Naval Might Amid Growing Chinese Threat

The Philippines will purchase five patrol vessels from Japan amid growing tensions in the South China Sea. The deal will be financed through a Japanese loan worth about $415 million, the two sides announced on May 17. The deal is part of the Maritime Safety Capacity Improvement Project (MSCIP) approved by the Philippine government in 2023. The project aims to augment the capability of the Philippine Coast Guard to “respond to threats and incidents within the country’s maritime jurisdiction.” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had promised the loan during his Manila visit in November 2023. At a ceremony in Manila, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo signed an agreement on the loan. Watch the video find out more.