Aaron-Matthew Lariosa – February 18, 2026 4:07 PM
The Philippine Coast Guard is set to receive three Beechcraft King Air planes, according to a contract finalized Feb. 16, 2026. Textron photo
The Pentagon and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) finalized a contract Monday to transfer American aircraft and patrol vessels to the archipelagic nation.
The contract includes the transfer of three Beechcraft King Air turboprops, finalized by Agency Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gavan and senior defense official John Noh, the Defense Department’s Assistant Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. The aircraft represent a “critical upgrade” for Philippine maritime domain awareness and search and rescue operations, according to a PCG news release.
“The two officials also discussed broader U.S. support for the PCG’s modernization, including sustained MDA operations in the West Philippine Sea and other core coast guard functions. The meeting reinforced the coast guard-to-coast guard dimension of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific,” reads the PCG release.
The aircraft come as the PCG builds up its nascent air wing in anticipation of an increased demand across Philippine waters.
Last month, a solicitation for additional Cessna and King Air airframes and support for foreign military sales programs included several aircraft slated for the Philippines. Previously, U.S. donations to the Philippine military transferred a number of modified turboprop aircraft, which were equipped with enhanced sensor and communication suites.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter NARWHAL (WPB-87335) returns to port at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, after being underway for an inter-service training exercise for maritime interdiction, August 14, 2024. The Philippine Coast Guard have received an unspecified number of 87-foot Marine Protector-Class coastal patrol cutters. USCG photo
With an increase of escalatory incidents in South China Sea tensions between Beijing and Manila over several disputed maritime features, Washington has stepped up its security assistance to its longstanding Southeast Asian ally. American support has focused on providing Philippine forces with equipment, training and the maintenance abilities to support sustained surveillance and presence missions against Chinese forces.
Aside from the Philippine Navy, which has received Hamilton-class cutters and recently retired Cyclone-class patrol coastals, the PCG has received an unspecified number of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boats through excess defense articles. Philippine sailors have been training on the vessels, according to Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the United States social media posts. At least two of these vessels were pledged to be transferred by the U.S. during Philippine President Bongbong Marcos’ 2023 visit to Washington.
The agency is also examining the potential procurement of larger ex-USCG patrol ships, including the 210-foot Reliance-class cutter. A Philippine delegation arrived in the U.S. last month to inspect a Reliance-class cutter. Commissioned into service in the 1960s, four of the medium endurance cutters have been transferred to partner and allied maritime forces. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency received the ex-USCGC Steadfast last fall.
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa is a freelance defense journalist based in Washington, D.C.
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