How will new longer-range aircraft boost Manila’s South China Sea surveillance?
Por Gabriel Dominguez — South China Morning Post – News feed
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The more ‘other countries aid the Philippines, the more likely that they will take an interest’ in the waters, analyst says
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Gabriel Dominguez Published: 7:00pm, 7 Oct 2026 The Philippine Coast Guard will receive three longer-range aircraft from the US, two of them modified for improved surveillance, giving Manila greater reach and endurance to monitor Chinese coastguard , naval and research vessels across the South China Sea .
Under a US$39.6 million contract awarded by the United States Navy on September 28, the three second-hand, extended-range King Air 350-series aircraft will be fitted with extended-range fuel systems, upgraded Garmin avionics and high-frequency radios.
Two will also carry King Air Maritime Domain Awareness intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The work is expected to be completed by September 2028.
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Observers said the twin-turboprop aircraft could allow the coastguard to reach distant patrol areas – such as Scarborough Shoal, the Spratly Islands and waters around Batanes in the northern Philippines – more quickly, and remain over them for longer.
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