JAKARTA, July 21 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Australia will provide the Philippines with a 413 million Philippine peso (about $7 million) aid package, under which the country’s coast guard will receive underwater drones, counter-drone systems, as well as heavy and long-range UAVs, the Australian Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the new aid package during a visit to the Philippines. In addition to the delivery of equipment, the program includes training for Philippine Coast Guard drone operators.

This reflects the high priority Australia places on our civil maritime partnership with you, and the high priority we place on our shared work to contribute to you building your maritime resilience, the minister said.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown noted that the drones previously provided by Canberra are already being used by the Philippine Coast Guard in maritime security operations, search-and-rescue missions, and environmental protection efforts.

In addition, Australia announced the launch of a separate four-year civil maritime assistance program worth 678 million pesos (approximately $11.5 million). It includes the provision of equipment, training for specialists, programs for marine environmental protection, maritime governance reform, and the study of international maritime law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar