Despite concerns that Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte is moving closer to China, the United States has okayed the sale of two AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe air-search radars and related support. The estimated value of the sale is $25 million, according to US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The radar sale would be via the US government's Foreign Ministry Sales (FMS) and was requested by Philippines to strengthen its maritime security. The radars would help in monitoring Manila's territorial waters. They would be installed on two ships belonging to Philippine Navy, the Voice of America News reported.
The US Senate had earlier blocked the sale of assault rifles to Philippine National Police, but the US Congress has not objected to the sale of the radars.
Washington hopes that this gesture would reinforce its commitment to regional security to a region that is marked by aggressive Chinese stance and claims.
It will be interesting to see how the US will react, given the fact that Philippines and China are gearing up to sign a defence trade agreement, which will support Chinese supply of firearms to aid Manila's counter-insurgency operations. Manila is also looking to procure Chinese-made radar systems.
In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration had rejected China's historic claim to the Nine-Dash Line. The case was brought by Philippines against China's legality over its "nine-dotted line" claim over the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Moreover, Philippines recently said that it would not protest Beijing's attempt to militarise artificial island Subi Reef (in the disputed Spratly Islands) in the South China Sea, after reports emerged that it has deployed anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems.
Recently, coast guard officials belonging to Philippines and China also wrapped up a two-day meeting and decided to have an action plan, where they will be cooperating on fishing, environmental protection and humanitarian assistance in the South China Sea, the Voice of America News reported.
