TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Coastal surveillance radars supplied by Japan will be posted on the Batanes islands less than 200 kilometers from Taiwan, the country’s top military official said Thursday.

The island province of Batanes lies on the Bashi Channel, which separates the Philippines from Taiwan. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo, Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the radars needed to be set up at all major choke points around the country.

Japan granted five radar systems valued at US$3.8 million (NT$126 million) to the Philippines in 2023 as part of an Official Security Assistance program. The plan is to boost security cooperation with like-minded allies.

Brawner emphasized the importance of keeping the Bashi Channel open and free from control by any one country, per CNA. The Philippines also stages annual military drills with the US in Batanes Province.

Under a defense agreement signed last year, Japan might also take part in the next edition of the maneuvers. Brawner identified Batanes as a possible destination for Filipinos to be evacuated from Taiwan if China invaded.