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South China Morning Post
06-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Philippines-US drone drill signals rising threat in South China Sea of unmanned weapons
A drill on the use of cutting-edge microwave weapons to disable drone swarms during a joint defence exercise involving the US and the Philippines is seen as a strategic signal by the allies to step up efforts in tackling unmanned military threats in the contested South China Sea. Advertisement Conducted on April 28 as part of the annual Balikatatan joint exercises, the trials involved two advanced counter-drone systems : the high-powered microwave component of the integrated fires protection capability (IFPC-HPM) and the fixed site-low, slow, small unmanned aerial system integrated defeat system (FS-LIDS). Both were deployed at a naval station in Zambales province, which faces the disputed waters claimed by China and several other Southeast Asian countries. The broader message behind the drill is to signal that drones are reshaping the threat landscape in Asia, according to analysts. 'During this test, we were able to demonstrate that we can successfully defeat drone swarms in a tropical environment using layered effects,' said US Army Captain Bray McCollum, commander of the 1-51 air defence artillery's IFPC battery, in a statement released on Thursday. US and Philippine troops prepare to counter a drone as part of the Balikatan exercise in northern Philippines on May 3. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem High humidity and heat pose unique challenges for the deployment of weapons utilising microwave and other sources. A demonstration of these weapons to operate smoothly in a tropical environment, such as the Philippines, underscores their potential to nullify the rising threats of drones, according to analysts.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: Philippines' resupply mission successful but is it calm before the storm?
The Philippines has successfully carried out its seventh resupply mission to a military outpost on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea without Chinese interference, but analysts warn this could just be a false dawn for Manila. Advertisement One observer notes the trouble-free mission could be due to the arrangement between both sides that was reached in July 2024, and was reaffirmed during a subsequent bilateral meeting. On Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement its regular RORE (routine troop rotation and resupply), carried out in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), concluded without any untoward incident. 'As the nation marks the 83rd anniversary of the Day of Valor, the [armed forces] honours the courage and dedication of our soldiers aboard BRP Sierra Madre who continue to stand guard yesterday in the West Philippine Sea to uphold our sovereignty, sovereign rights and national interest,' the armed forces said. Chinese coastguard vessels execute a dangerous manoeuvre against the Philippines' civilian supply boat Unaizah May 4 on March 23, 2024 during a regular resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem The Chinese coastguard has tried to disrupt previous missions, accusing the Philippines of bringing building materials to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre, a war wreck beached on the Second Thomas Shoal as an outpost for Manila.
