US-Philippines Military Cooperation: Fast Boat Bases and Unmanned Systems Contribute to South China Sea Strategy

July 16. As tensions in the South China Sea reach new heights, the United States and Philippines are dramatically expanding their military cooperation through a combination of new infrastructure projects and cutting-edge unmanned systems.

The United States plans to fund and construct a facility capable of hosting watercraft and assault boats on the western coast of Palawan, strategically positioned to support Manila’s operations in the disputed South China Sea. The base, located in the municipality of Quezon just 160 miles east of the flashpoint Second Thomas Shoal, represents a significant escalation in US-Philippine military cooperation.

The facility is designed to support at least five vessels, including rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and assault boats manufactured by Oregon-based Reconcraft, a company specializing in military and law enforcement small boats. The strategic positioning allows for rapid deployment, with plans requiring watercraft to be launched within 15 minutes to meet “rapid deployment readiness” objectives.

This development is crucial for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has predominantly relied on Naval Detachment Oyster Bay to stage patrols and resupply missions to scattered outposts in the disputed waters. The new western coast facility will provide faster access to Manila’s Spratly Islands outposts compared to more developed eastern ports.

The fast boat base is part of a larger pattern of US military infrastructure investments in the Philippines. Simultaneously, the US is upgrading Naval Detachment Oyster Bay with a $1-5 million boat repair facility specifically designed to support both manned and unmanned surface vessels. This facility will include maintenance capabilities for 11.6-meter (38-foot) vessels, equipped with electrical, air conditioning, and support systems suitable for unmanned platforms.

The expansion occurs within the framework of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which has grown from five to nine Philippine military bases accessible to US forces. The new bases are strategically located in northern Philippines (facing Taiwan), southern areas, and Palawan near the South China Sea.

A cornerstone of the expanded cooperation is the Maritime Security Consortium, launched in November 2024 as a public-private initiative managed by the Defense Innovation Unit, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and US Indo-Pacific Command. The program provides up to $95 million annually in funding for unmanned systems to Southeast Asian countries, with the Philippines as a key recipient.

The Consortium uses joint exercises like Balikatan to demonstrate and deliver systems to partner countries, representing a new model for rapidly deploying advanced military technology to allied nations facing maritime security challenges.

Philippine Unmanned Surface Vessel Capabilities

The Philippines has received several unmanned surface vessels from the US, marking a significant technological advancement for the Philippine Navy:

• MANTAS T-12 Systems: Four 12-foot (3.6-meter) all-electric systems capable of carrying up to 140 pounds (64 kg) of payload and achieving burst speeds of 30+ knots. These represent MARTAC’s most popular system, equipped with advanced propulsion and designed for long duty cycles performing “dull, dirty and dangerous” missions.
• Devil Ray T-38 System: One 38-foot (11.1-meter) medium USV with a maximum payload capacity of 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg). The T-38 can achieve burst speeds of 70-100+ knots and is based on a high-performance dual sponson platform with multiple world records for speed and stability.
• Philippine Navy USV Unit: The Philippine Navy formally established an Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit in 2024, with Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci stating its primary role is to improve Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and maritime domain awareness. The unit is based in Subic Bay and was first revealed during the Asia Defense and Security Exhibition.

During a November 2024 demonstration observed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Philippine Navy USVs were shown equipped with autonomous navigation, ISR payloads, and communication systems with over-the-horizon and line-of-sight capabilities. The USVs use Starlink terminals provided by SpaceX for real-time data transfer and remote operation.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the existence of “Task Force Ayungin” which is a US military unit stationed in the Philippines. Named after the Philippine designation for Second Thomas Shoal, the task force was officially established in mid-2024 following the June 17 violent clash between Chinese and Philippine forces.

The task force provides technical assistance for Philippine USV operations and is based in Palawan, operating within the Command and Control Fusion Center at Western Command. According to AFP officials, “US troops in Palawan provide technical assistance through the information-sharing group within the Command and Control Fusion Center in Western Command. This support enhances our capability in maritime domain awareness.”

Importantly, US officials have clarified that while the task force provides training and intelligence support, actual missions in the West Philippine Sea remain “purely Philippine operations.”

The military cooperation expansion comes amid severely deteriorating China-Philippines relations. The June 17, 2024 incident at Second Thomas Shoal was particularly serious, with Chinese Coast Guard vessels ramming Philippine boats, resulting in a Filipino sailor losing his finger.

Chinese tactics shifted in 2024 toward more aggressive “use of force,” including physical contact between ships and deployment of water cannons, lasers, and handheld tools against Philippine vessels and personnel. Tensions have continued into 2025, with China deploying its massive “monster ship” (165-meter vessel 5901) to Scarborough Shoal in January.

The developments represent a significant escalation in US-Philippine military cooperation, directly responding to China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

The combination of new infrastructure, advanced unmanned systems, and embedded US training personnel creates a comprehensive framework for enhanced maritime domain awareness and rapid response capabilities.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted unmanned surface vessel operations during his 2025 visit to Manila, and the Philippines is expected to receive many more platforms through the $500 million Foreign Military Financing program announced in July 2024. The 2025 Joint Vision Statement on US-Philippine Defense Industrial Cooperation identified unmanned systems, ship maintenance, and logistics as priority areas for collaboration, aligned with the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act.

The US-Philippines military cooperation represents a paradigm shift in how allied nations can rapidly deploy advanced military capabilities to address emerging security challenges.

The combination of strategically positioned infrastructure, cutting-edge unmanned systems, and embedded training support creates a comprehensive deterrent framework while maintaining the Philippines’ operational sovereignty.

As China continues its assertive maritime campaign, these developments signal a new phase in South China Sea dynamics, where technological advantages and allied cooperation may prove more decisive than traditional force-on-force confrontations.

The success of this model could serve as a blueprint for similar partnerships throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

– (By arrangement with SLDinfo.com)