Philippines $35 Billion Defense UPGRADE to Counter China's Aggression in West Philippine Sea
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In the face of escalating maritime tension with Beijing in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy has secured the lion’s share of the recently approved $35 billion Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization budget, signaling a notable recalibration in defense allocations.
The budget is slated to finance a range of acquisitions outlined in an extensive wish list submitted by the AFP to the President. Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, revealed on May 1 that the budget would be disbursed over 10 years.
The spokesperson refrained from detailing the specific items on the wish list, but it is presumed to include the procurement of Submarines, radar equipment, unmanned combat aerial vehicles, naval frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, amphibious and auxiliary vessels, and search and rescue helicopters.
In January, the Philippine President approved the $35 billion for a revised version of Horizon 3 – almost equivalent to the total cost projected for, by the original program. In contrast, the previous administration only approved $5.6 billion for Horizon 2. Dubbed Re-Horizon 3, this revised phase seeks to not only obtain new equipment but also remove inefficiencies, streamlining the procurement process and developing a better defense strategy.
Alongside Re-Horizon 3, the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept put forward by Philippine defense officials brings an increased emphasis on naval and air forces for the defense of the country. In this strategy, the traditionally internally focused AFP is envisioned operating offshore in its Exclusive Economic Zone and beyond.
Equipped with Japanese and French patrol vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard has been frequently deployed to the South China Sea to protect Philippine fishermen, ward off foreign vessels and escort Philippine Navy resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard is set to procure a large number of ocean-going patrol ships in an upcoming modernization act.
Japan pledged to fund seven patrol ships, on top of the existing 12 previously handed over, following a diplomatic visit to Manila in November. Philippine senators have also eyed Austal’s shipyard in Cebu to build three offshore patrol vessels.
While the list of assets is not yet public, Manila has been eyeing the procurement of two to three attack submarines from either France or South Korea and more BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles from India for its army. South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries also expects further warships orders from the Philippine Navy. Since 2012, Manila has ordered two frigates, two corvettes and six offshore patrol vessels from the Korean shipbuilder.
Other major procurements include four landing platform docks from P-T PAL Indonesia, which are the largest ships in the Philippine Navy at 7,200 tons.
In addition, the Philippines is plan to acquire multirole fighter jet from Sweden, while the government has not identified the final choice for the fighter jet, the Swedish firm Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen was reportedly among the top choice.
The Philippines' inclusion in the proposed $8.1 billion aid package of the United States House of Representatives would help strengthen the country's defense capabilities, especially amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The approved amendment to the bill, introduced by California Rep. Darrell Issa that encourages the US State Department to allocate $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines.
The proposed allocation of military aid to the Philippines, would expedite the country’s military modernization and bolster law enforcement capabilities, which are crucial steps for maintaining sovereignty and regional peace.
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