The United States will transfer an Observation Blimp to the Philippines to increase its capability in monitoring the West Philippine Sea. US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, said they will provide the Philippines with Radars, Sensors and Communications Equipment worth $42 million. "We will add to its capability to put sensors on ships and put an aerostat blimp in the air to see into the maritime space," Goldberg said in a media interview. The Blimp is balloon radar that will be used to monitor activities in the West Philippine Sea.
A Philippine Military Official said, this will improve our capability in monitoring activities in the West Philippine Sea. China claims almost entire West Philippine Sea which is believed to have an abundant oil and gas deposits. Countries like The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims in the region. China has been expanding its presence on its seven artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago and on Monday landed a military plane for the first time on one of them, Fiery Cross Reef. The Philippines will receive $120 million U.S. military aid this year. This will be the largest aid since year 2000. Both countries signed a deal allowing more US military presence on a rotational basis.
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