Asian countries eye stronger maritime surveillance capabilities

U.S. Air Force Boeing P-8 Poseidon (R) is displayed at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Center February 18, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The market for spy planes and surveillance platforms is buoyant in Southeast Asia, where countries are facing off against China – and each other - in the resource-rich South China Sea, industry insiders at the Singapore Airshow said.

Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam have all been seeking information from suppliers, trade sources said, as maritime patrol aircraft and intelligence gathering platforms become more of a priority.