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The US Coast Guard has indicated they will double the number of vessels operating in Guam.
What’s the deal: During a phone call with reporters, Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson announced that the US Coast Guard plans to significantly expand its presence on Guam by doubling its fleet to six Sentinel-class fast-response cutters. This expansion is part of a broader US military buildup on the island, with funding already secured for the additional cutters. Additionally, the Coast Guard is considering establishing a support base in Japan or Australia for more routine operations and planning joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with partner nations.
Digging Deeper: There has been speculation that the US could provide escorts to Philippine ships conducting resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in the South China Sea, a region marked by territorial disputes with China. However, Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson stated that the US Coast Guard will not accompany Philippine vessels on these missions.
Some background: The South China Sea has been a hotspot for territorial disputes, with China claiming nearly the entire region under its nine-dash line, a claim invalidated by an international tribunal in 2016. Despite the ruling, China has militarized part of the sea, building artificial islands and creating military bases on the islands. The Philippines and other nations have challenged these territorial claims. Notable, the Philippines Navy has had clashes with Chinese vessels, leading to incidents where vessels collide.
Ships capabilities: Sentinel-class fast-response cutters are highly capable vessels designed for a range of maritime operations. Each 154-foot cutter has advanced command, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, enabling effective performance across various missions. They are also equipped for search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response
