Australia has supplied the Philippine coastguard with a new batch of aerial and underwater drones that could significantly enhance Manila’s capability to monitor activities in the disputed South China Sea.

The systems would help the coastguard gather evidence and enhance deterrence across the contested waters, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, where Manila has faced repeated confrontations with Chinese vessels, according to analysts.

Based on images released by the Australian embassy in Manila on social media on Tuesday, the donation appears to include Australian-made surveillance, delivery and inspection drones: a fixed-wing Corvo drone that can carry small payloads over long distances, a compact Oceanbotics underwater vehicle used for inspection and sonar imaging, a smaller Corvo aerial drone and a Callisto 25 heavy-lift drone.

Australian and Philippine authorities have yet to confirm the specific models and capabilities of the drones.

Australian ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said in a post on social media that the donation formed part of Canberra’s continuing support for the modernisation of the Philippine coastguard and its maritime domain awareness efforts.

The latest donation follows a 2024 maritime cooperation agreement between both countries and earlier Australian drone and training support for the Philippine coastguard, reflecting Canberra’s growing role in helping Southeast Asian partners monitor and guard contested waters, according to analysts.

Chris Gardiner, CEO of the Institute for Regional Security, said the responsibilities of modern coastguards extended beyond the sea surface to the seabed and air.