The Philippine Army is looking to develop air defense capabilities to strengthen support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which is now being operationalized nationwide.
“We have proposed air defense capabilities. This is not only for force protection but also to project our force within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told reporters.
This is in response to queries on whether the service is planning to acquire weapons and platforms designed to neutralize threats coming from the air.
The CADC is a strategic shift where the AFP is tasked to defend all Philippine territories, including its EEZ.
According to Dema-ala, having a potent anti-air capability will allow the Army to undertake missions “as part of or in support of CADC.”
He said the Army is also considering developing more potent drone capabilities, doctrine, and training.
Dema-ala explained that the drone capability will be used for “recon and combat.” Recon refers to reconnaissance or surveillance, while combat refers to drones with the capability to attack military targets.
While the Army already has an existing drone capability, the military spokesperson said this is only good for a “limited recon capability.”
