The U.S. Marine Corps temporarily deployed a unit of drones to support Philippine maritime security efforts in the South China Sea where tensions are high between Manila and Beijing, USNI News has learned. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1, an Arizona-based unit formation equipped with MQ-9A Reapers, was sent to the Southeast Asian nation to support “Philippine regional maritime security,” a Marine Corps Forces Pacific spokesperson confirmed to USNI News. The deployment also enhances the U.S.-Philippine alliance’s maritime domain awareness capabilities. “The temporary stationing of unarmed MQ-9As to the Philippines demonstrates mutual commitment to improving the collective maritime security and supports our common goal for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the spokesperson said.

Full report : U.S. Marines Deploy Drone Unit to Philippines to Patrol Over South China Sea.