The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received a first batch of three rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIB) from Japan on 16 November, this coming shortly after Tokyo promised to fund four radar stations in the Sulu-Celebes Sea.
In all, the Japan International Cooperation Agency will donate ten RIBs of 7.3m length to the PCG, with Suzuki outboard motors powering them to speeds of 45kt. The seven remaining boats will be delivered in 2018.
These boats are being delivered as part of the Japanese government’s provision of a JPY600 million ($5.3 million) grant in aid to the PCG. Three other aid projects will