AFP eyes buying more ships to protect West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines —  Acquisition of more ships and other big-ticket items to improve patrolling in the West Philippine Sea is being eyed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as part of the Horizon 3 phase of the AFP modernization program.

But before buying more vessels, the AFP said it needs to improve naval infrastructure, such as bases and ports, to accommodate new assets.

“We should not purchase vessels when there is no port or pier to keep them,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Wednesday.

“That is why we are developing our bases first. We have to fix support systems before acquiring more (assets),” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 5th Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS 2024) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Priorities under Horizon 3 include cyber defense and “big-ticket items that will be useful to comply with the requirements of our new defense concept, the comprehensive archipelagic defense concept.”

This concept, implemented by the Department of National Defense, aims to strengthen the military to ensure the Philippines’ unimpeded exploration of marine resources within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Big ticket items include ships for the Philippine Navy and more multi-role fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force.

One of the defense contractors at the ADAS 2024 is Thales, a sonar, radar and anti-submarine warfare technology and equipment provider.

The STAR was invited to visit the firm’s new site in Marseille, France earlier this month.

In an interview, Thales naval defense adviser Eric Chaperon said he cannot offer a specific advice on what the Philippines needs to address its issues with China in the WPS.

Deterrence based on capability is generally important, he said.

“Deterrence is about the conviction that your adversary knows about the losses he will suffer if he attacks. If he knows that you are divided or you are weak or whatever, he will not hesitate. If he knows on the contrary that you are strongly united, that you have a sea to structure to guarantee the swift or the smooth coordination, that you train, he will hesitate,” said Chaperon, a retired vice admiral of the French Navy.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Tolentino is considering requiring the government to adopt a rental method in procuring assets to bolster the capabilities of police and naval forces.

Singapore, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Japan and India are leasing naval and police assets from other countries to enhance their capabilities without the high costs of outright purchases and maintenance, Tolentino said.