The Philippine Air Force’s new fighter jets ‚ FA-50PH Nr 001 and 002. Photo taken in November 2015. (File photo from the Facebook account of the Philippine Air Force)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved several adjustments in the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization’s third phase, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“We are embarking into what we call the ‘Rehorizoned 3’ capability enhancement and modernization program where [the] president recently approved an array of capabilities,” Teodoro said during a forum organized by the Manila Overseas Press Club in Makati on Tuesday.
Teodoro said these capabilities include maritime and aerial domain awareness, communication, connectivity, and deterrence and intelligence gathering through C4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition, and Reconnaissance).
The AFP modernization’s Horizon 3 — scheduled for development from 2023 to 2028 — prioritizes the achievement of a self-reliant defense posture program, bringing in more sophisticated equipment such as fighter planes and ships.
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The Horizon 1 stage of the program was implemented from 2013 to 2017, resulting in the acquisition of Del Pilar-class frigates and FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters, among others.
Horizon 2 was implemented in 2018, resulting in the acquisition of P300 billion worth of multiple launch rocket systems, light tanks, armored recovery vehicles, multi-role fighter aircraft, frigates, and submarines.
Meanwhile, Teodoro said the AFP was also embarking on a new defense concept called “comprehensive archipelagic defense.”
“The armed forces will transition initially to enable itself to guarantee as much as possible Philippine nationals, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine environment the unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources within our exclusive economic zone and other areas where we have jurisdiction,” Teodoro said of the new concept.