Nothing truly great happens instantly.
In our line of work at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), achieving long-term goals takes careful planning, stable progress, and effective collaboration. Whether it’s training, operational readiness, or modernization, the results don’t happen overnight.
Every step we take is deliberate, gradually strengthening our forces and ensuring we’re always ready to serve the people. We’re in this for the long haul, and every move counts.
Now, let’s talk about the ongoing modernization of AFP. We’re building something far more robust and sustainable, designed to stand the test of time. Progress is steady but intentional, and it’s happening every day. We’re not just keeping up; we’re setting the stage for a future-ready armed forces.
Of course, setbacks are inevitable in any major initiative, often caused by factors beyond our control. Evolving geopolitical dynamics, shifting global alliances, and unexpected resource constraints have all challenged the program’s timeline. Rather than seeing these as roadblocks, they’re simply part of the journey. Far from standing still, we’re gaining ground, adjusting as needed, and continuing to move forward with purpose.
What matters is that the foundation is solid, the direction is clear, and the commitment across government agencies, is stronger than ever.
Toward the end of May, we convened a high-level meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Budget Secretary Mina Pangandaman, and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to explore potential financing strategies that would not only fund but even accelerate the AFP Modernization Program and the newly established Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program.
This pivotal alignment session with our country’s top economic managers was initiated by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., whose leadership and business acumen offer a fresh, calculated perspective on advancing our national defense.
His experience in the private sector allows him to view defense priorities through a pragmatic lens, focusing on optimizing resource allocation and long-term growth. His ideas may be non-traditional, but it’s exactly this kind of innovative thinking that we need.
I had further witnessed the dedication and brilliance of the DND Secretary at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security conference held recently in Singapore. There, he conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bolster defense ties. Through engagements with key our key defense and military counterparts, Secretary Teodoro reinforced the Philippines’ defense posture and emphasized the importance of deeper international cooperation for regional security.
All our efforts were aimed at AFP’s modernization, positioning the Philippines to stay resilient in an ever-evolving world.
As of 2024, the Philippines’ defense spending is approximately ₱271.9 billion (US$4.65 billion), marking a 12.3% increase from the previous year. We are looking to improve spending to better equip ourselves to respond to emerging regional challenges.
The AFP Modernization Program, first institutionalized under Republic Act No. 7898 and later expanded under RA 10349, is not a short-term fix. It is a strategic undertaking to transform the Philippine military into a multi-domain, credible defense force. Today, we are firmly within the Horizon 3 phase, covering 2023–2028, and its scale is bolder than ever.
Under the newly approved Re-Horizon 3 plan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has greenlit a ₱2 trillion modernization roadmap, which is roughly USD 35 billion over a decade. This comprehensive tactic concentrates on improving the country’s maritime security, air surveillance, cyber defense, and joint command capabilities. It’s a transformation that touches all corners of the AFP, from its fleet and aircraft to its intelligence and infrastructure systems.
Currently, Secretary Teodoro is actively exploring alternative funding sources to support the AFP’s modernization efforts. This includes tapping into both international and local financing options, as well as seeking official development assistance (ODA) and grants from global and regional partners.
The Philippine Navy, once criticized for being a “brown water” force with limited offshore capacity, has entered a new era. In 2023, we saw the acquisition of the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), a modern corvette equipped with advanced surface and air surveillance capabilities. This year through 2028, we are set to receive two guided-missile corvettes from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, part of a ₱28 billion contract aimed at enhancing maritime deterrence.
Meanwhile, to enhance our aerial domain awareness, we have procured advanced radar systems and ground-based air defense systems (GBADS). The Air Surveillance Radar System from Japan is deployed across strategic locations, including Wallace Air Station in La Union, for continuous surveillance and to enable us to detect and respond to potential airborne threats across our vast archipelagic airspace.
The Philippine Army’s modernization isn’t just about firepower—it’s about networked warfare. Programs are now integrating command and control systems, drones, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) tools into ground operations. The AFP is also investing in tactical radio systems, satellite communication, and logistics management platforms—recognizing that in 21st-century conflicts, speed and connectivity win battles.
Training and doctrine are also catching up. Interoperability drills such as Balikatan 2025, with over 17,000 troops from the Philippines, U.S., Japan, and Australia, now include simulated joint air and sea operations, cyber warfare scenarios, and civil defense exercises. These are not symbolic displays but real-world rehearsals for real-world contingencies.
The modernization program has also helped catalyze the growth of the Philippine defense industrial base. Under the SRDP Program, we are reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Government arsenals and private partners are producing infantry weapons, ammunition, and even vehicle components, while DND is finalizing partnerships for technology transfer in shipbuilding and radar systems.
Together with the DND, the AFP has been addressing shortfalls through better procurement protocols, more competitive bidding, and closer oversight.
Modernization is never linear—it’s responsive. It evolves with our security landscape, diplomatic posture, and fiscal realities.
Defense is not just about preparing for war but about maintaining peace, protecting our sovereignty, and securing our future. A credible, modern AFP is essential not only for territorial defense but for climate disaster response, counterterrorism, and peacekeeping. It is an investment in national dignity and regional stability.
To reduce the modernization story to “delays” is to overlook the gains already achieved, the billions already mobilized, and the long-term readiness already being built brick by brick, vessel by vessel, radar by radar.
Make no mistake, the AFP is moving, and the Philippines stands to be stronger for it. That’s The General Idea.