This is part of Washington’s plan to help Southeast Asian countries improve maritime security amid increasing complexities in the East Sea. Washington’s commitments to support Vietnam was reflected in its partly lift of its arms export ban on Vietnam which allows the transfer of defensive weapons “related to maritime security”, as well as in expanding bilateral training activities and exercises in disaster relief and humanitarian issues.
In a statement released on November 18, the White House said the US government pledges to spend US$119 million in the 2015 fiscal year and another US$140 million in the following year to help Southeast Asian countries improve their maritime capabilities.
The Philippines will get the most support with US$79 million to bolster maritime security in 2015, the statement said, adding that the United States will "grant" the Philippines a US Coast Guard cutter.
Of this aid package, US$21 million will go to Indonesia, and US$2.5 million is for Malaysia.