During a joint press conference in Manila today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. and the Philippines have come together to work toward reestablishing military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The United States has been fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines since World War II. Our partnership not only continues today, but we are doubling down on that partnership, and our ironclad alliance has never been stronger,” Hegseth said at the outset of the press conference.
Hegseth spent the first half of the day meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and then with his counterpart, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The result of those talks, Hegseth said, was an understanding of how to not just continue with the status quo but to “accelerate the progress in [the] U.S.–Philippines alliance.”
The four-piece plan, which Hegseth said would build upon the United States’ late July 2024 commitment of $500 million to modernize the Philippine military, includes an agreement that the United States will deploy additional advanced military capabilities to the Philippines, plans for bilateral training between both nations for high-end operations, an agreement to prioritize bilateral defense industrial cooperation, and an agreement to launch a bilateral cyber campaign.
Hegseth said the U.S. intends to send additional capabilities to the Philippine military. Most notably, the Defense Department will provide the Philippines with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, for Exercise Balikatan this spring.
A combination of multiple proven capabilities, the NMESIS combines a lethal strike missile mounted on the chassis of a joint light tactical vehicle that can be operated remotely.
In addition to the NMESIS, Hegseth said the U.S. would also provide highly capable unmanned surface vehicles for Balikatan, the most prominent annual military exercise between the U.S. and the Philippines.
“These systems will enable U.S. forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to train together on using advanced capabilities to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty,” Hegseth said.
Regarding industrial cooperation, he said a joint statement on the topic was released earlier today that identifies multiple priority areas, including co-producing unmanned systems and increased combined logistical support.
“These initiatives will help us share burdens and promote a more comprehensive partnership; we intend for these efforts to boost both of our economies and strengthen supply chain resilience,” he added.
The U.S. and the Philippines have recently agreed on a plan to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, likely in response to growing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s expanding influence. Key aspects of this agreement may include:
- Enhanced Military Cooperation – Increased joint exercises, expanded access to Philippine bases for U.S. forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and potential new defense arrangements.
- Maritime Security Focus – Greater coordination in the South China Sea, including freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) and support for the Philippines against Chinese maritime assertiveness.
- Infrastructure & Aid Investments – U.S. assistance in modernizing Philippine defense capabilities, including radar systems, patrol vessels, and cybersecurity.
- Alliance Reinforcement – Reaffirming the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, possibly clarifying its applicability in scenarios like a conflict over Taiwan or disputed waters.
This move aligns with the Biden administration’s strategy of bolstering regional alliances (like the Quad and AUKUS) to counterbalance China. The Philippines, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has taken a firmer stance on sovereignty issues compared to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who leaned toward Beijing.
