The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) concluded its largest-ever aerospace, defense, and security mission to the Philippines on Aug. 15, with a delegation of 26 leading US companies.
The two-day mission, co-led by USABC senior vice president Ambassador Ted Osius and Boeing Southeast Asia vice president Dale McDowall, aimed to deepen strategic engagement at a critical time for US-Philippines relations. It followed the annual Philippines Business Mission, bringing a total of nearly 60 US companies to the country and highlighting strong private sector support for the Philippines’ development and defense priorities.
“The US private sector is firmly committed to supporting the Philippines’ long-term security and economic goals,” Osius said. “This mission reflects our enduring strategic partnership and shared vision for regional stability.”
The delegation held a dinner reception for Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., which was also attended by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and more than 120 other leaders from the security and defense sectors.
In his keynote speech, Teodoro expressed his gratitude for the US private sector’s “strong expression of confidence and trust.” He emphasized the shared values between the two nations, stating, “At the end of the day, [the Philippines and the United States] are still together. We will never be apart.”
The mission included briefings at the US Embassy in Manila and high-level meetings with Philippine defense and civilian leaders, including Teodoro, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, and Air Force Commanding General Arthur Cordura.
Discussions also focused on the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act, with insights provided by Filipino companies First Philippine Industrial Park and Armscor Global Defense Inc.
Under the theme “Strengthening Philippine-US Aerospace, Defense, and Security Ties,” the mission highlighted opportunities for co-production, joint development, technology transfers, and workforce development. The discussions also covered civil aviation, disaster resilience, and the broader economic role of the aerospace and defense sectors.
“Missions like this are vital to advancing the next phase of military modernization in the Philippines,” McDowall said. “This work strengthens the nation’s readiness and elevates its strategic posture in a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific region.”
Participating companies included Boeing, GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Bell, and Northrop Grumman, among others.
