US transfers Triton unmanned maritime vehicles to Philippines

An Ocean Aero Triton USV seen during the US Navy exercise in San Diego in March 2024. (US Navy)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has received four solar-powered Triton unmanned underwater and surface vehicles from the United States to strengthen its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The US Embassy in the Philippines announced the deliveries on 22 June, saying the systems are worth PHP754 million (USD12 million). It added that the Tritons, developed by Mississippi-based Ocean Aero, can collect data above and below the ocean's surface through a resilient mesh network for up to 30 days.

Bridgette Walker, the embassy's deputy chief of mission, said the Triton system is intended to improve maritime monitoring across contested waters.

“The Indo-Pacific's maritime domain is vast, contested, and critical, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it,” she said.

“The ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges – illegal fishing, grey zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation – requires persistent, long-endurance awareness that no single ship or aircraft can provide alone. The Triton fills that gap by expanding the capabilities of the Philippine Navy into critical waterways.”

According to company specifications, Triton is 4.5 m long and weighs 350 kg. It has an operating depth of 100 m, a maximum surface speed of 5 kt, and a maximum subsurface speed of 2 kt. Janes data shows that Triton is in service with the US Navy (USN), and has been deployed by the USN Fifth Fleet to conduct ISR in the Arabian Gulf region.

For more, please see: US deploys MQ-9A Reapers to Philippines