The United States Marine Corps temporarily deployed a squadron of MQ-9A Reaper attack and reconnaissance drones to the Philippines to support surveillance tasks in the South China Sea. The operation seeks to strengthen Philippine maritime security amid growing tensions with China, according to a spokesperson for Marine Corps Forces Pacific.
The newly deployed drones belong to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1), based in Arizona, and were sent to support “Philippine regional maritime security.” According to the USMC spokesperson, the deployment also enhances the maritime situational awareness capabilities of the alliance between the two countries.
“The temporary installation of unarmed MQ-9As in the Philippines demonstrates the mutual commitment to improving collective maritime security and supports our shared objective of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the spokesperson for Marine Corps Forces Pacific stated.
The MQ-9A drones operate from Basa Air Base, one of the nine facilities enabled under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows rotational troop deployments and the construction of U.S. infrastructure on Philippine territory. The presence of U.S. drones at Basa had already been confirmed in June 2024 by the I Marine Expeditionary Force, following a request from the Philippine government.
So far, Marine Corps Forces Pacific has not reported the total number of MQ-9A Reaper drones deployed.
Rising tensions and the need for surveillance
The deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles comes after a series of incidents between Philippine and Chinese forces in 2023 and 2024. One of the most serious episodes occurred on June 17, 2024, at Second Thomas Shoal, where a member of the Philippine Navy SEALs suffered the amputation of a finger after colliding with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese Coast Guard ships, warships, and maritime militia vessels frequently operate inside the country’s exclusive economic zone in the western sector.
Manned and unmanned aerial platforms have become essential for monitoring these incidents in real time. Images captured by drones and aircraft have made it possible to document water-cannon attacks and harassment maneuvers—material that Manila has used to denounce Beijing’s actions.
The Philippines already operates ScanEagle drones donated by the U.S., as well as Israeli-made Hermes 900 and 450 models, deployed particularly in the province of Palawan.
MQ-9A capabilities and program background
The USMC continues to expand its MQ-9A Reaper fleet. In June 2025, the force received its latest extended-range MQ-9A Reaper Block 5, manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), completing three years of acquisitions for its Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) program. The extended-range model can fly up to 34 hours thanks to external fuel tanks and is equipped with advanced radar systems, video sensors, and triple-redundant avionics.
To date, at least 18 MQ-9A drones are in service with the USMC, with two more in the delivery process, according to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
The deployment of Reaper drones has also expanded to other strategic points in the Indo-Pacific. In September 2025, the U.S. Air Force activated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, marking the establishment of the country’s first MQ-9 Reaper squadron.
“The deployment of the MQ-9 brings a powerful capability to the region. We are here to support the mission, deepen cooperation, and demonstrate our shared commitment to maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” said Lieutenant Colonel Douglas J. Slater, commander of the 431st ERS.
Military cooperation and new bilateral initiatives
The U.S. and the Philippines have increased their defense cooperation to counter Chinese pressure in the South China Sea. Georgi Engelbrecht, an adviser at the International Crisis Group, highlighted that the integration of unmanned aircraft between both forces shows that bilateral cooperation “is on the right track,” stressing the growing importance of UAV systems in the Indo-Pacific theater.
In October, the defense secretaries of both countries announced the creation of Task Force Philippines, a 60-member coordination group led by a U.S. one-star officer. The structure seeks to strengthen cooperation and deter coercive acts.
Washington has also committed $500 million in military assistance to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including investments in strategic naval bases oriented toward the South China Sea.
Cover image: USMC – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Akeel Austin
You may also like: The strike group of the nuclear aircraft carrier Nimitz demonstrated its capabilities in the South China Sea before its retirement
