Philippine Watercraft Operations in the South China Sea
With upcoming upgrades to naval bases facing the South China Sea, Manila is set to expand its reach into the disputed littorals off Palawan via the deployment of Marine Corps and Naval Special Operations Group watercraft.
In its shift from internal to external defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has shifted its gaze from the country’s southern islands to frontiers in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait. However, a lackluster modernization program, inadequate funding, and other factors have delayed expected upgrades of Philippine forces operating in these regions.
Among these forces is the Philippine Marine Corps, which has recognized the importance of developing littoral interdiction capabilities in the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. The force has since repurposed fibreglass boats procured to operate in the rivers and coastal waters of Mindanao for littoral operations that they were never meant to be used in. Dubbed Patrol Craft Coastals, these Propmech-designed and built watercraft have been seen operating at South China Sea flashpoints and strategic maritime chokepoints.