AFP elated over extension of modernization program

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday welcomed President Benigno Aquino III’s signing into law the extension of the AFP Modernization Act for another 15 years.

“This is a very significant and timely development in our efforts to upgrade our capability to be more effective and efficient in the performance of our constitutional mandate. We express our sincere gratitude to the present administration in its continuous and unprecedented support to our modernization and capability upgrade program,” military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said in a statement.

He added the law (Republic Act 10349), which Aquino signed Tuesday, will allow the AFP to push for the acquisition of equipment listed in its Medium Term (2013-2017) Acquisition List.

“Extending the implementation of our Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program will also provide greater opportunities and enough time for us to finally achieve a minimum credible defense posture which will help us in better fulfilling our mandate to protect the people and the state,” he said.

A budget of P75 billion will be given for the first five years.

The AFP plans to purchase, among others, surveillance radars, anti-submarine warfare helicopters, fighter jets, radios, frigate vessel and  one unit of night-fighting system, etc.