THERE is a need for local manufacturing of unmanned systems in the Philippines, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said Monday.
“For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, where every island, waterway, and air corridor represents both opportunity and vulnerability, the responsible development and integration of unmanned systems is no longer optional, it is essential,” Teodoro said in his keynote speech at the Philippine Navy Drone Warfare Summit 2025.
“In times of crisis or conflict, dependence on foreign sources for critical defense equipment can limit our ability to act swiftly and independently,” he said.
“By investing in our own people, research institutions, and industries, we are also investing in our sovereignty,” Teodoro added.
The country is ramping up efforts to develop a manufacturing ecosystem for unmanned systems, a capability that proved to level the playing field for countries facing adversaries with superior military power,” he said.
Ukraine, whose drones are battle-tested, is working on a defense cooperation agreement with the Philippines, according to Kyiv ambassador to Manila Yuliia Fediv.
The Philippine Navy Drone Warfare Summit 2025 serves as a platform for the exchange of information and best practices on unmanned systems and drone technology. It brings together defense planners, technology experts, and industry partners to explore the applications of drone systems in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and maritime operations.
The event aligns with the Department of National Defense’s ongoing efforts under the military modernization program, particularly in the areas of research and development, technology integration, and defense industry collaboration.
