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China can move at sea, can Manila track it better?

Writer: J. Salazar
J. Salazar
Sep 27
4 min read

Article by J. Salazar

Published on September 28, 2026 06:00PM



The Philippine Coast Guard is set to receive three (3) longer-range aircraft from the United States, strengthening Manila’s ability to monitor Chinese coast guard, naval, and research vessels across the West Philippine Sea. Two (2) of the aircraft will carry dedicated maritime surveillance systems, allowing Philippine crews to patrol farther, stay longer and document activity with greater detail. ¹ ²


A wider maritime reach


Under a US$39.6-million contract awarded by the United States Navy on September 28, the Philippine Coast Guard will receive three (3) second-hand, extended-range Beechcraft King Air 350-series aircraft. The contract, funded through the US Foreign Military Sales program, covers upgraded Garmin avionics, high-frequency radios, extended-range fuel systems, operator training, ferry flights and technical documentation. ¹ ²


Two (2) aircraft will be fitted with King Air Maritime Domain Awareness intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The work is expected to be completed by September 2028.


The twin-engine turboprops could improve the Coast Guard’s ability to reach distant areas including Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal; the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea; and the waters around Batanes near the Luzon Strait. These areas are important to the Philippines because of their proximity to major shipping routes, fishing grounds and the northern approach to Luzon. ²


From detection to evidence


The Philippine Coast Guard already uses aircraft to locate and challenge Chinese vessels. On September 27, it deployed a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan to identify China Coast Guard vessel CCG-3303 near Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro, visually confirming the ship and issuing repeated radio challenges.


However, analysts cited by the South China Morning Post said the Coast Guard’s current single-engine surveillance aircraft have limited endurance and sensor capacity. The two (2) King Airs equipped with mission suites are expected to allow crews to remain over an area longer, assess the situation and return with time-stamped evidence.  ²


Raymond Powell, executive director of the SeaLight Foundation, said the aircraft could help Philippine authorities “loiter, evaluate, document completely and return home with time-stamped evidence.” He said this could be valuable even if Chinese military aircraft force Philippine planes away from an immediate area. ²


Safety and endurance


The King Air 350’s twin engines may also provide an added safety margin for long flights over water. Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute and former Royal Australian Air Force officer, said the aircraft are expected to have improved nighttime capability, potentially extending Coast Guard surveillance beyond daylight hours.


Michael Bosack, director of the Parley Policy Institute, said having three (3) aircraft would help the Coast Guard maintain availability despite training schedules and maintenance requirements. He said the additional capability could allow the agency to respond “more consistently, swiftly and effectively to vessels that are further afield.” ²


A challenging operating environment


The aircraft program comes as Philippine patrols continue to encounter Chinese military activity in the West Philippine Sea. On October 3, an Armed Forces of the Philippines C-208 aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol near Bajo de Masinloc encountered two (2) Chinese military aircraft, including a J-16 fighter.


The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the J-16 repeatedly approached and maneuvered close to the Philippine aircraft, including flying ahead of and around it and positioning itself in its wake. Manila said the maneuvers posed an aviation safety risk, although the Philippine aircraft safely completed its patrol and returned without injuries. ³ ⁴


China’s military said the Philippine aircraft had entered what Beijing calls its territorial airspace over Huangyan Island, its name for Bajo de Masinloc. Beijing said its forces tracked and monitored the aircraft and issued warnings, accusing Manila of provocative acts. ² ⁵


Surveillance is not enforcement


Analysts said the new aircraft may not fundamentally alter China’s conduct. Timothy Heath, director of security research firm Perceptum, said Beijing could continue deploying military aircraft to challenge Philippine flights, while Bosack warned that Chinese forces could use radar-lock incidents, unsafe maneuvers or flares to disrupt King Air operations.


The aircraft also cannot by themselves stop Chinese “grey-zone” activity, such as the presence of coast guard, maritime militia or research vessels. The Philippine Coast Guard cannot deploy ships to respond to every Chinese vessel within its maritime areas of responsibility, Bosack said.


Still, improved surveillance could give Manila earlier warning of Chinese operations and help it decide which coast guard or military assets to deploy. Heath said this could reduce the risk that Philippine forces are surprised or outmatched. ²


International support


The King Air program is part of a broader effort by the Philippines’ partners to help improve its maritime monitoring and enforcement capacity. Australia has provided drones and training, while Japan has financed 12 Philippine Coast Guard vessels and is funding five (5) more. France is supporting Manila’s acquisition of 40 OCEA patrol boats through export-credit insurance and direct market-rate loans.


Heath said wider foreign involvement could have an impact beyond the aircraft themselves, since greater assistance may encourage partner countries to take a greater interest in developments in the West Philippine Sea. ²


For Manila, the three (3) aircraft represent a practical upgrade, not a solution to every maritime challenge, but a way to see farther, remain on station longer and build a more complete record of activity in waters vital to the Philippines. ¹ ²

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Notes:


¹ Defence. U.S. to send Philippine Coast Guard three spy-equipped ... https://defence-blog.com/u-s-to-send-philippine-coast-guard-three-spy-equipped-planes


² South China Morning Post. The more ‘other countries aid the Philippines, the more likely... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3370027/how-will-new-longer-range-aircraft-boost-manilas-south-china-sea-surveillance


³ Inquirer. Chinese ships, planes block PH operations https://www.inquirer.net/491729/chinese-ships-planes-block-ph-operations



⁵ Philstar. China accuses PH aircraft of 'illegal' intrusion over Bajo de Masinloc https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/10/06/2561286/china-accuses-ph-aircraft-illegal-intrusion-over-bajo-de-masinloc


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