“But we should not lose sight of our priorities”
Why does the Armed Forces of the Philippines want to significantly ramp up modernization efforts?
This has a two-fold purpose, according to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo D. Brawner Jr.: to strengthen its operational capability, and to serve as deterrence against any external threats.
The modernization program will entail the procurement of more missile systems, multi-role fighter jets, radars, frigates, and rescue helicopters, among others.
Apart from building a strong and reliable deterrent force, the AFP has underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly with India, from whom the Philippines acquired the BrahMos missile system.
In April 2024, the first batch of BrahMos cruise missiles from India arrived in the Philippines, making the country the third Southeast Asian nation to acquire the world’s fastest supersonic antiship missile system.
What’s clear at this point is that India is a vital partner in our military modernization.
Beyond procurement, the AFP is looking into joint manufacturing, technology transfer and local production in the Philippines to support our growing defense industry.
At the same time, we want to expand our funding sources for the military’s modernization program as the budget of the national government has not been enough to fund the country’s defense capability upgrades.
The government is looking into both local and foreign financing for the military modernization program.
Under the 2025 budget, the AFP received from Congress P35 billion for its revised modernization program, but this is P15 billion lower than the P50 billion initially sought by the Marcos Jr. administration.
Last year, the revised AFP Modernization Program got an allocation of P40 billion.
President Marcos Jr. approved the military’s revised wish list for new weaponry and equipment under the updated acquisition plan called “Re-Horizon 3,” the last stage in the AFP modernization program. The revised procurement plan would have a timeline of 10 years and is expected to cost about P2 trillion.
A recent addition to the military’s defense capability is the first missile corvette for the Philippine Navy, the BRP Miguel Malvar.
The vessel, named after a Philippine revolutionary hero, is equipped with antiship, antisubmarine and antiaircraft capabilities. It is part of a P28-billion contract bagged by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.
The second missile corvette for the Philippine Navy, the 3,200-ton BRP Diego Silang, was also launched on March 27. It is expected to be delivered to the country by September this year. Top of Form
The Philippines is going one step closer to acquiring more military hardware from the United States, whose security commitments to its longtime Asian ally were recently affirmed by the Trump administration
A welcome development along this direction is the US Department of State is poised to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Philippines of F-16 Aircraft for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion” (or P319 billion).
This comes after the March 28 visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Manila, where he spoke of “efforts [to] build on an ongoing $500-million commitment in foreign military financing and other security assistance to support the Philippines’ military modernization.”
The Philippines has requested to buy a total of 20 F-16s as well as radars, guided missile launchers, attack ammunition and anti-aircraft guns, among others.
The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” according to the US State Department.
The purchase would also enhance the ability of our Air Force to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its air defense and aerial interdiction capabilities. This will likewise increase the ability of the AFP to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with US forces.
We fully support our government’s commitment to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to contribute to regional stability.
But we should not lose sight of our priorities.
Our defense budget should be pegged at the 2-3 percent of the total annual allocation, with the bulk earmarked for education, infrastructure and job creation. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)