Fiji, the Philippines and Sri Lanka are expanding the use of drones and other unmanned technologies as Indo-Pacific countries seek more cost-effective ways to improve maritime security, surveillance capabilities and emergency response operations across large ocean territories.
The growing adoption of uncrewed aerial vehicles, autonomous vessels and artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring systems is allowing countries to increase their maritime awareness without the cost of significantly expanding traditional military and security forces. Peter Singer, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, said these systems allow governments to monitor larger areas without having to increase budgets at the same scale.
The Philippines has been among the most active countries in developing domestic drone capabilities. The Philippine Army began creating small unmanned aerial vehicles more than a decade ago through programs including the Raptor and Knight Falcon drones. These systems have been used for surveillance and search-and-rescue missions, with their capabilities tested during counterinsurgency operations.
The Philippine Air Force Research and Development Center has also developed two low-cost drone platforms: the fixed-wing Air Military Ordnance Carrier and the rotary-wing Military Air Ordnance Yielder. The systems are designed to perform both reconnaissance and strike-related missions, expanding the military’s operational flexibility.
Manila has also invested in locally produced drone technology and 3D-printed components to strengthen surveillance capabilities around the Batanes islands, the country’s northernmost province and its closest territory to Taiwan. In addition, the Sidlak Kanaway uncrewed surface vessel project is being developed to improve maritime surveillance and early warning capabilities in contested waters.
Fiji has similarly increased its reliance on unmanned systems to strengthen monitoring across its extensive maritime domain. The country uses drones to support naval surveillance, allowing ships and personnel to focus more on interception and enforcement operations.
Over the past decade, Fiji has expanded drone applications beyond maritime security, including policing and emergency response activities. Under a defense cooperation agreement in 2025, France provided Fiji with surveillance drones and monitoring equipment designed to improve real-time intelligence gathering and support efforts against illegal fishing and other transnational security challenges.
Fiji’s capabilities were further strengthened in March 2026 when the United States announced the provision of $500,000 worth of communications technology. The equipment is intended to improve interoperability and enhance the Republic of Fiji Navy’s ability to address illegal fishing, drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
Sri Lanka is also increasing investment in unmanned systems as part of efforts to improve military surveillance, maritime monitoring and disaster response capabilities. The Sri Lanka Army’s 15th Drone Regiment conducted a five-day training course in early 2026 aimed at improving operator skills and preparing for wider deployment of drone systems across the armed forces.
The regiment has expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of 14 commercial and industrial-grade drones. The equipment is expected to support surveillance, reconnaissance and security operations as Sri Lanka continues developing its unmanned technology capabilities.
International cooperation has also contributed to Sri Lanka’s drone expansion. In September 2025, Japan agreed to provide the Sri Lanka Navy with Japanese-made drones valued at more than $3 million. The equipment was supplied for monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief activities under Japan’s Official Security Assistance program, which supports partner countries through security-related equipment and infrastructure development.
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in improving the effectiveness of these systems. Singer said AI allows collected information from multiple sources to be combined and analyzed, increasing the value of individual surveillance platforms.
Regional information-sharing networks are also contributing to these efforts. Singer highlighted organizations such as the Singapore-based Information Fusion Centre and the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region hosted by India, saying they allow data and sensor information from different countries to be combined.
The expansion of drone technology across Fiji, the Philippines and Sri Lanka reflects a broader regional shift toward unmanned systems as governments seek to strengthen maritime security, improve response capabilities and monitor increasingly complex security environments across the Indo-Pacific.
