SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The United States has turned over two high-speed unmanned surface vessels worth more than $8 million to the Philippine Marine Corps to strengthen the country’s maritime surveillance and defense capabilities.

The turnover ceremony was held Nov. 4 at the Unmanned Center of Excellence established by Florida-based defense contractor Maritime Tactical Systems Inc. (MARTAC) in Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton formally handed over the two Devil Ray T38 vessels to Brig. Gen. Bayani Curaming, who received them on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The U.S. Embassy said the two vessels have a combined value of more than $8 million.

The Devil Ray T38 is a high-speed unmanned surface vessel capable of reaching speeds of more than 60 knots and carrying up to 1,814 kilograms of equipment, according to MARTAC.

The vessels can operate through remote control or autonomously without personnel onboard. Their modular design allows them to carry equipment for surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, mine countermeasures and logistical operations.

They can also serve as platforms for launching and recovering smaller unmanned vessels, including the all-electric MANTAS T12 boats previously delivered to the AFP.

The latest turnover builds on an earlier delivery in 2024, when the AFP received five MARTAC unmanned vessels consisting of one Devil Ray T38 and four MANTAS T12 units.

MARTAC’s Subic facility is expected to provide training, maintenance and technical support for the vessels, as well as maintain spare parts locally. The company said the center would help sustain the Philippine Marine Corps’ unmanned maritime fleet while creating local employment opportunities.

The U.S. Embassy said the vessels would help the Philippines protect its sovereign rights and strengthen maritime domain awareness in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Lipton said the delivery also reflected the longstanding defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States, which are marking the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of their Mutual Defense Treaty in 2026.

Col. Daniel Oh, the embassy’s senior defense official and chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group, said the unmanned vessels would allow the AFP to monitor wider areas of Philippine waters for longer periods at lower operating costs.