US flies advanced spy plane over disputed South China Sea

The Philippines has sought military and diplomatic protection from the United States in its row with China over competing claims to parts of the sea.

A P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane conducts flyovers in the Atlantic Ocean on February 3, 2012. US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel J Meshel/Handout/Reuters

MANILA // The United States has flown its most advanced surveillance plane from a military base in the Philippines over disputed areas of the South China Sea.

With Philippine soldiers on board, the US navy flew the P-8A Poseidon from a former American airbase about 80 kilometres north of Manila on February 17, Philippine authorities said on Friday.

The Philippines is in the midst of a bitter row with China over competing claims to parts of the South China Sea that are close to the Philippine coastline.

“The objective is to patrol the South China Sea, to ensure freedom of navigation,” said Philippine military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla.

Philippine navy spokesman Commander Lued Lincuna said the flight was a “familiarisation trip”.

“They showed to us the surveillance capability of their aircraft, something that we do not have,” said Commander Lincuna.

The US navy also said the flight was meant to “increase understanding and showcase the capabilities” of what it said was its most advanced, long-range, anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and surveillance aircraft.

“Sharing this aircraft’s capabilities with our allies only strengthens our bonds,” said the US navy’s Lieutenant Matthew Pool, Combat Air Crew 4 patrol plane commander.

The Poseidon is “significantly quieter” and requires less maintenance compared with the older P-3 Orion surveillance plane, the US navy said.

The Poseidon logged 180 flight hours while in the Philippines, from February 1 to 21.

The US navy gave no further details about the flights, except for the single flight referred to by the Philippine military off the coast of Luzon island, which faces the South China Sea from its western coast.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which holds major shipping lanes and is believed to contain vast oil and gas reserves.

Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan also have competing claims to parts of the sea.

For decades, these rivalries have made the sea a potential military flashpoint, and tensions have risen significantly in recent years as China has sought to expand its presence in the region.

China has ramped up construction on reefs and islets, deployed more patrol vessels and taken control of a shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines, outmuscled by China, has sought military and diplomatic protection from the US, its long-time ally.

It has also angered the Chinese government by asking a United Nations tribunal to rule on its dispute with China.

* Agence France-Presse