VIETNAM has accelerated the expansion of military and logistical facilities on several reefs claimed by the Philippines as part of the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, a report of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) showed.
AMTI said Vietnam continued reclamation and infrastructure development at Mascardo (Barque Canada) Reef, Rizal (Grierson) Reef, Juan Luna (Petley) Reef, Kota (South) Reef, and Rajah Soliman (Landsdowne) Reef — all occupied by Vietnam but also claimed by the Philippines.
The report said Vietnam reclaimed about 216 hectares of new land across the Spratly Islands since March 2025, bringing its total reclaimed land to 1,121 hectares.
Among the disputed features, Mascardo Reef has become Vietnam’s largest outpost after major land reclamation was completed in 2025.
Hanoi has since shifted its focus to smaller reclamation projects and infrastructure development at Rizal, Juan Luna, Kota, and Rajah Soliman reefs.
AMTI said Vietnam has also begun constructing more permanent facilities on its occupied outposts. Three new harbors are taking shape at Rizal, Juan Luna, and Kota reefs, bringing Vietnam’s total number of harbors in the Spratlys to 15. Another harbor is under construction at Rajah Soliman Reef.
At Mascardo Reef, satellite imagery showed the installation of what AMTI identified as a Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Range navigation beacon similar to systems installed by China on its artificial islands. The beacon is expected to provide aircraft with accurate navigation within about 100 nautical miles.
The report estimated that Vietnam’s reclamation and dredging activities have damaged about 1,667 hectares of coral reef.
AMTI also noted that China remains the largest island builder in the South China Sea after expanding Antelope Reef, which it said is likely now the region’s largest artificial island.
China’s reclaimed land now totals about 2,209 hectares, while reef destruction has reached roughly 2,519 hectares.
The report also referenced Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, another feature occupied by China but also claimed by the Philippines.
According to AMTI, Vietnam’s island-building campaign has entered a new phase, shifting from land reclamation to the construction of operational infrastructure.
The think tank said that while China’s latest reclamation at Antelope Reef has widened Beijing’s lead in artificial land creation, Vietnam’s continued development of facilities across its occupied outposts could have a greater long-term impact on the operating environment in the South China Sea once the new infrastructure becomes fully operational.