The United States has announced that it will transfer a 210-foot Reliance-class Coast Guard cutter to the Philippines to strengthen maritime security and territorial patrol operations.

The announcement was made by US War Secretary Pete Hegseth during the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major regional security forum attended by defense officials from various countries.

The move is part of growing defence cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, especially amid ongoing concerns about maritime tensions in the region.Philippine Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.were present during the announcement and welcomed the development as a sign of stronger bilateral partnership.

According to reports, the vessel transfer is intended to help the Philippines improve its ability to patrol its exclusive economic zone and respond to maritime security challenges.Officials also discussed broader cooperation in territorial defence and regional stability, including shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Teodoro emphasised that the defence partnership between the two countries serves as a key foundation, or “linchpin,” for wider cooperation in economic security, human security, and development.

During the dialogue, Brawner also confirmed sightings of a man-made structure at Bajo de Masinloc, an area within the West Philippine Sea, which has been a point of ongoing concern in regional disputes.

Meanwhile, Teodoro held separate meetings with defence officials from Singapore and South Korea, discussing possible expansion of defence agreements and cooperation.

The Philippines is also expected to meet US officials again during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in October to further discuss security coordination and regional defence initiatives.