AFP: P50B modernization budget to enhance defense capabilities

The Armed Forces yesterday said the P50 billion allocation it would get next year for the military’s modernization program is a “positive step” towards enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Sunday said the AFP will receive a funding of P50 billion for the acquisition and upgrading of military hardware and systems under Malacañang’s proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 amid China’s worsening aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military establishment “appreciates” the commitment of the House of Representatives in allocating P50 billion for the program.

“This increase, which is P10 billion higher than (this) year’s allocation, signifies the government’s dedication to enhancing our defense capabilities,” Padilla said in a statement on Sunday night.

She said the military is in the middle of implementing its modernization program which calls for the acquisition of modern assets.

The necessity of modernizing the AFP is magnified by the growing number of Chinese harassments in the WPS, the latest of which was yesterday morning when the Chinese Coast Guard performed “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” that resulted in collisions that damaged two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, and last August 8 when two Chinese multi-role fighters (MRFs) conducted dangerous maneuvers and launched flares on the path of a Philippine Air Force plane conducting routine patrol over the Scarborough Shoal.

Padilla said the program would require continuous funding in the coming years so the military can fully modernize.

Several big-ticket items are in the pipeline for acquisition under the AFP modernization program, including MRFs. Among those that are being considered to be acquired under the MRF acquisition are the F-16 of US and Saab JAS 39 Gripen of Sweden.

“This additional funding will enable the AFP to continue its efforts in acquiring advanced technologies, improving our capabilities in land, air, and sea operations, and addressing current security challenges,” said Padilla.

“While this allocation is a positive step, the modernization of our forces is an