The US government will provide the Philippines with additional Mantas T-12 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to enhance its surveillance capabilities in the South China Sea.
During his recent visit to Manila, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III announced that the new naval platforms will be delivered as part of a $500-million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) package introduced earlier this year.
Details regarding the timeline and exact number of Mantas T-12s to be supplied remain unclear.
The Philippine Navy operates four Mantas USVs, one of which was demonstrated during Austin’s visit to Palawan, a western island of the Philippines.
“We expect to see many more platforms like this … to help ensure that the Philippines has the capabilities and means to defend its rights and its sovereignty throughout its exclusive economic zone,” he remarked.
A Force Multiplier
The Mantas T-12 is an electric-powered USV measuring 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) in length and boasting a payload capacity of 64 kilograms (141 pounds).
It can be launched from shore, ship, or boat supported by launch and recovery equipment.
The T-12 is designed to serve as a force multiplier, capable of supporting various missions such as surveillance, search and rescue, mine detection, and electronic warfare.
It can be equipped with sophisticated sensors and cameras for improved situational awareness.
“The T12 has the capability of long duty cycles performing the dull, dirty, and dangerous missions,” US-based manufacturer Martac stated on its website.
Committed to Philippine Defense
Austin emphasized that supplying more Mantas USVs to the Philippines highlights the US commitment to the defense of the Philippines amid growing tensions with China.
He also reiterated that the move builds upon the rapidly advancing US-Philippine alliance.
“Our commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) is ironclad, and let me say again, the MDT applies to armed attacks on either of our armed forces, aircraft, or public vessels, including our coast guards, anywhere in the South China Sea,” Austin affirmed.
The US previously supplied the Philippines with defense assets, such as two Cyclone-class patrol ships in September 2023 and ScanEagle drones in October 2021.
