The Philippines is accelerating its military modernisation in the face of continued disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea and rising global tensions. With the Philippines expected to increase its military spending in the years to come, several of the world’s largest defence contractors have made a beeline for the 5th edition of the biennial Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) exhibition, which is now underway in Manila and concludes on 27th September.

ADAS is providing a looking glass into Philippine defence procurement, which despite budget constraints is delivering new and improved capability for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Several procurements still in the pipeline are due for a decision in the near future. The capabilities now being inducted into the AFP mark a paradigm shift in capability and is more in line with the nation’s status an important ally and longstanding U.S. partner and in the region, as a ‘Major non-NATO Ally’ (MNNA).

Some of the newest AFP inductions on display at ADAS, include the Philippine Army’s new GDELS/Elbit ‘SABRAH’ (ASCOD II) Light Tank and its new Iveco/Elbit GUARANI' 6×6 wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC). While the first SABRAH light tank - which has a 105 mm main gun - was delivered late last year, the army took delivery of its first batch of five GUARANI 6×6 wheeled APCs in February this year. Elbit Systems is the prime contractor for both programmes, which are valued at approximately US$220 million.

The Philippine Army also has a requirement for a Multi Rocket Launcher System (MRLS) and one of the contenders is the South Korean firm Hanwha Aerospace, which is promoting its CHUNMOO MRLS at ADAS. Hanwha Aerospace officials say unlike other nations which face production constraints, they will be able to make early deliveries of the CHUNMOO MRLS. Company officials also point to Poland’s decision to acquire over 200 examples of CHUNMOO MRLS, and Hanwha Aerospace’s compliance in integrating the launcher onto local platforms and customizing fire control systems.

The Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is testing the waters for its SEA BREAKER, 5th generation Anti-Ship Missile System (AShM) which is being showcased for the first time here in Manila. The new generation weapon is one of the most advanced in the company’s portfolio and can deliver pinpoint strikes on targets as far as 300 km away, with the ability to sink a frigate with a single hit.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has also enhanced its ground attack capability with the induction of the last two, of six Turkish Aerospace T129 ‘ATAK’ helicopters, earlier this year. The attack helicopters, which were ordered in July 2020 are now operational with the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing. The Philippines is the first export customer for the Turkish attack helicopter, with Nigeria the other export customer also having taken delivery of the type. The PAF has been eyeing the procurement of a new fighter type with Saab’s GRIPEN-E and Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70/72 as the main contenders. Fresh of a win in Thailand, where the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced in August that it would opt for the GRIPEN-E to replace its ageing F-16s, Saab is displaying a full-scale GRIPEN mock-up at ADAS in a show of intent. The mock-up on display is armed with two Diehl IRIS-T missiles on the wingtip, two MBDA Meteor long-range BVRAAMs, two Saab RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missiles, a laser designator pod and a centreline drop tank. Lockheed Martin on the other hand has a F-16 Block 70/72 Cockpit Demonstrator on display at the show.

Another requirement is that of the Philippine Navy, which has been eyeing the acquisition of a Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Anti-Submarine Warfare (MPA/ASW) type. The Indonesian airframer PTDI has offered the CN235-220 with suitable modifications for the Philippine Navy.

The Philippine Navy is also inducting new warships at a greater pace. Under the AFP Horizon II Modernization Programme, the South Korean shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has received orders for ten new Frigates, Corvettes and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) from the Philippine Navy. HHI is presently building two guided missile corvettes for the Philippine Navy (their first ever) and is slated to deliver the BRP MIGUEL MALVAR in 2025 with the second warship due for delivery in 2026. Buoyed by the Philippine orders, HHI inaugurated a naval ship engineering office in Manila this March, that will not only support its existing in-country contracts but will also be the regional base for its export efforts to other countries in the region.

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