Post by firoj1414 on Feb 14, 2024 17:57:45 GMT 6
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos approved the third phase of a military modernization program, which includes the acquisition of the country's first submarines. The decision to approve the purchase of the submarine is part of a broader strategy to strengthen maritime sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea. Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Roy Trinidad announced Thursday that this latest phase marks a strategic shift from internal to external defense capabilities. The third phase of the modernization plan has an estimated cost of 2 trillion pesos about billion dollars). Its deployment is planned for several years. Amid rising tensions and frequent clashes in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have overlapping sovereignty claims, the move is seen as a crucial step in strengthening the country's defense posture.
The Japanese submarine Oyashio arrives in Subic Bay in the Philippines on April. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the purchase of the Philippines' first submarines as tensions persist in the South China Sea… Further TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty The urgency of this modernization was underscored by an incident in December, when a Chinese ship allegedly rammed a ship carrying the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Branwer Jr. The Navy's equipment wish list is long, according to Swaziland Email List Trinidad. Although the exact number of submarines earmarked for acquisition remains undetermined, Trinidad said the Philippines plans to acquire definitely more than one. The acquisition of at least two submarines is part of the new Horizon 3 phase of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as Branwer said in a media interview, the Philippine News Agency reported in October.
Several international players have expressed interest in providing these strategic assets to the Philippines. Among them are France, Spain, South Korea and Italy. France, in particular, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFPMP), including the development of a submarine force, the Philippine News Agency reported in September 2023. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) said France had offered its help in this effort. "Underlining France's role as a partner in the Indo-Pacific region, Ambassador-designate Fontanel reiterated France's offer to support the AFPMP, including the willingness of (French defense manufacturer) Naval Group to help build a submarine force in Philippines,” said DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.
The Japanese submarine Oyashio arrives in Subic Bay in the Philippines on April. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the purchase of the Philippines' first submarines as tensions persist in the South China Sea… Further TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty The urgency of this modernization was underscored by an incident in December, when a Chinese ship allegedly rammed a ship carrying the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Branwer Jr. The Navy's equipment wish list is long, according to Swaziland Email List Trinidad. Although the exact number of submarines earmarked for acquisition remains undetermined, Trinidad said the Philippines plans to acquire definitely more than one. The acquisition of at least two submarines is part of the new Horizon 3 phase of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as Branwer said in a media interview, the Philippine News Agency reported in October.
Several international players have expressed interest in providing these strategic assets to the Philippines. Among them are France, Spain, South Korea and Italy. France, in particular, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFPMP), including the development of a submarine force, the Philippine News Agency reported in September 2023. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) said France had offered its help in this effort. "Underlining France's role as a partner in the Indo-Pacific region, Ambassador-designate Fontanel reiterated France's offer to support the AFPMP, including the willingness of (French defense manufacturer) Naval Group to help build a submarine force in Philippines,” said DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.