On November 28, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps initiated a temporary rotational deployment of MQ-9A Reaper drones to Basa Air Base in the Philippines, enhancing the nation’s maritime surveillance amid rising Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. This deployment, part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, aims to bolster intelligence, reconnaissance, and situational awareness while remaining non-offensive and compliant with Philippine laws. The integration of these unmanned systems reflects a significant escalation in U.S.-Philippine defense ties and supports Philippine modernization efforts, reinforcing regional stability and sovereignty. The development underscores India’s strategic interest in a rules-based Indo-Pacific, highlighting the importance of alliances in countering coercive tactics and ensuring maritime security in vital sea lanes.