The USV MANTAS T-12 is 3.6 m long and can withstand a payload of 64 kg. (Source: DefenseScoop)

Naval News reported that at a press conference in Palawan, Philippines, on November 19, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his host country counterpart Gilberto Teodoro revealed that Manila had received USVs from Washington through a security assistance program this year.

There, they witnessed the Philippine Navy demonstrate new capabilities provided by the United States. These vehicles are MANTAS T-12 USVs developed by Maritime Tactical Systems (MARTAC).

The Pentagon said the T-12 is a key weapon for the Southeast Asian nation’s navy to protect its sovereignty and ensure operations throughout its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. The US is expected to provide more USVs to the Philippines through a $500 million foreign military assistance commitment in July.

The MANTAS T-12 is 3.6 meters long and can carry a payload of 64 kg. According to MARTAC, the missions of the MANTAS T-12 also include surveillance, team operations and electronic warfare.

One feature of the USV highlighted by MARTAC is “crocodile mode” – a semi-submersible capability that will help the MANTAS T-12 perform stealth missions.

While the exact specifications of the Philippine Navy variants remain unclear, recent imagery shows what appears to be an EO/IR system and Starlink terminal mounted on these vehicles.

This is the first time in history that USVs are present in the Philippine Navy.

Mr. Collin Koh, senior research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, assessed: " The transfer of USV capabilities is new, not only signaling the US commitment to enhancing maritime security and naval defense in Southeast Asia but also reflecting the recognition that this type of support - which needs to keep up with modern naval warfare - is evolving."

The US-Philippine alliance was also recently strengthened when the two countries' defense ministers signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), allowing Manila access to advanced capabilities such as satellite imagery and electronic intelligence.

The agreement is expected to establish new procedures to protect classified military information and build a system to detect potential threats early in the disputed waters.

Also related to Washington-Manila relations, on the same day, November 19, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos announced that he had a "very friendly" phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump and expressed his desire to strengthen the alliance between the two countries.