Australia to deploy reconnaissance aircraft in Philippines

Image
IANS Canberra
Last Updated : Jun 23 2017 | 11:32 AM IST

Australia will deploy military reconnaissance aircraft in the Philippines to assist it in its fight against militant groups, Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Friday.

Payne said the Philippine authorities have accepted two AP-3C Orion planes offered by Australia to perform reconnaissance missions over the country's southern region, reports Efe news.

"The regional threat from terrorism, in particular from IS (Islamic State) and foreign fighters, is a direct threat to Australia and our interests," she said.

"I spoke with my counterpart Secretary of Defence Delfin Lorenzana about how Australia can assist the Philippines in its fight against extremists," she said. "Australia will continue to work with our partners in Southeast Asia to counter it."

The decision to deploy the aircraft comes after the IS-linked Maute group stormed the southern Mindanao city of Marawi, where the armed group continues to resist the Philippine Army despite being subjected to airstrikes and bombings.

According to the latest official figures, the fighting has killed 268 militants, 66 security personnel and 26 civilians, while the more than 200,000 inhabitants of Marawi have either fled or have been evacuated.

--IANS

ksk/mr

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 23 2017 | 11:22 AM IST

Next Story