According to Reuters on February 1, Marcos of the Philippines approved the third phase of the modernization plan of the Philippine military, which includes the purchase of the first submarine for the Navy to defend the so-called "sovereignty in the South China Sea", and the Philippine military also said that France, South Korea, Spain and Italy are all interested in providing submarines for the country. The Philippine military has previously announced a series of military modernization plans, but at the end of December, it was revealed that it lacked funds to purchase American-made F-16 fighter jets.
Philippine Navy spokesman Roy Trinidad said Feb. 1 that the third phase of the Philippine military's modernization plan reflects a shift from internal defense to external defense.
We may not be a large naval ......But we will have a navy capable of preserving our territorial rights and sovereignty. Trinidad said that while the first and second phases of the military modernization program are "land-centric," the third phase will seek to improve military capabilities in the South China Sea and is expected to cost 2 trillion pesos (356.).$200 million) and will be implemented in a few years.
According to the report, the Philippines' Southeast Asian neighbors, including Indonesia and Vietnam, already have their own submarine projects. Although Trinidad did not say how many submarines the Philippines intends to buy, he said that "there must be more than one," and that France, Spain, South Korea and Italy have all expressed interest in providing submarines to the Philippines.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said last month that the third phase of military procurement will focus on strengthening a range of capabilities, including regional awareness, intelligence, and deterrence capabilities at sea and in the air.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Sea Power.
In October last year, the US "Defense News" published an article saying that the Philippine military is readjusting its modernization program to strengthen territorial and coastal defenses. The third phase of the Philippine military's modernization plan includes the purchase of multi-role fighter jets, radars, two other South Korean-made Rizal-class frigates, missile systems, and even the purchase and installation of the Philippines' first submarine force.
However, the plan seems good, but the limited budget is an unavoidable obstacle to the modernization of the Philippine military. "Nikkei Asia" disclosed on December 27 that as early as 2021, the United States approved the Philippines' **F-16 fighter jets, but the Philippines is still trying to solve the financial difficulties of purchasing fighters.
It's still too expensive, so we have to find a way to finance it in the long term. We want to change our (economic) growth situation. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Romualdez told Japanese media that the Philippines "may" cancel the preliminary agreement to purchase brand-new F-16 fighter jets from the United States and buy second-hand aircraft from third countries such as Denmark instead.
It is worth noting that Reuters and many other foreign media have linked the Philippine military's modernization plan to tensions in the South China Sea. China's spokesperson Mao Ning said in response to China-Philippines relations on December 26 last year that some recent incidents between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea are completely the Philippines' change of policy position, violation of its own commitments, violation of international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and deliberate infringement and provocation to create incidents, and the responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side.
China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We also hope that the Philippine side will make a rational choice, return to the right track of properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation, and work with China to manage the maritime situation well. ”
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer.com, and it is not allowed to be unauthorized and shall not be allowed.