The Philippines is looking to buy more military hardware to modernise its arsenal, including additional BrahMos missiles from India and at least two submarines, the chief of the armed forces said on Wednesday.
The Philippines is on the third phase of its modernisation programme called “Horizons”. It has earmarked US$35 billion for the build-up over the next decade as it aims to counter China’s military might in the region.
“It’s a dream for us to get at least two submarines,” Romeo Brawner said in a speech to leading business figures.
“We are an archipelago. So we have to have this type of capability, because it’s really difficult to defend that entire archipelago without submarines.
In 2022, the Philippines bought a US$375-million BrahMos anti-ship missile system from India, and has orders for more.
It is expecting deliveries this year of at least two corvette vessels from South Korea, which last year elevated its ties with Manila to a strategic partnership.
Brawner also said Manila is trying to get South Korea to join the Squad, a multilateral grouping composed of Australia, Japan, Philippines and the United States.
The Philippines’ military build-up comes as tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated in the South China Sea, where the two have clashed in recent years.
