How will the Philippines use its share of US$55 million maritime aid?

The Philippines is among Asian nations to be covered by a US$55 million maritime defence funding from the United States, but Manila is not expected to buy any significant game-changing security assets with its share.

Analysts say while the funding signals Washington’s focus on pulling mid-sized states into its orbit to counter Beijing’s growing regional presence, the Philippines is likely to use its undisclosed allocation on radars, drones and coastguard purchases.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who co-hosted a maritime ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Wednesday said the funding was aimed at strengthening the maritime law enforcement capacity of Indo-Pacific countries, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Pacific Islands and other unnamed maritime South Asian nations.

While the funding may be smaller compared with what China extends to its partners, experts say the latest US offer for the Indo-Pacific underscores its late entry into the contested yet strategic region.

In a report released in July by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute on China’s official development finance – including grants, loans, and other forms of assistance – Indonesia topped the list with US$20.3 billion, while Laos received US$9.6 billion and Malaysia US$9.5 billion.

Other beneficiaries included Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, with the Philippines receiving US$700 million.