U.S. Asymmetric Aid Program Transfers Unmanned Vessels to the Philippines, Plans Attack Drone Transfer by 2027

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The latest tranche of American-made and funded drones were formally received by Philippine forces this week ahead of Washington’s larger plans to equip the Southeast Asian ally with asymmetric capabilities that could prove crucial in monitoring and deterring Beijing in the South China Sea. Four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles were delivered on Monday to the Philippine Navy as part of Washington’s drone-focused asymmetric capabilities program. The program, which is a security assistance initiative, has outlined U.S. plans to arm Manila with “lethal capabilities” – such as armed drones – by 2027, USNI News