Modernization under the ambit of a strategic Philippines–ROK defense cooperation
Yesterday, the forthcoming State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), H.E. Lee Jae Myung, to the Philippines was formally announced. The visit coincides with the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the ROK in March 1949. It will be President Lee’s first visit to the Philippines as president and the first state visit following the entry into force of the Philippines–ROK Free Trade Agreement.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the timing and focus of President Lee’s visit carry strategic weight. Among the areas of mutual interest under the Philippines–ROK Strategic Partnership, defense cooperation has been identified as a key agenda item.
This signals an important evolution in bilateral ties: Manila and Seoul increasingly view their partnership not only as economic and people-to-people in character, but as one with concrete security and defense implications in an increasingly complex regional environment.
This signaling comes at a critical juncture. The Philippines faces persistent and evolving security challenges in its maritime domain, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
Maritime incidents and gray zone activities continue to test the country’s capacity to assert its rights and maintain presence in contested waters. At the same time, conflicts such as the war in Ukraine have reshaped global defense priorities, disrupted supply chains and tightened procurement timelines for critical military equipment.
For the Philippines, strengthening national defense—and doing so with urgency—is a strategic necessity, shaped not only by developments at sea and in the air, but also by rapidly changing global security conditions that demand faster and more adaptive capability development.
President Marcos Jr. has been clear in outlining the twin strategies guiding his administration’s defense posture: building self-reliance and deepening partnerships with like-minded states. These are not mutually exclusive paths. Rather, they are complementary approaches that recognize the limits of purely indigenous capability development while underscoring the importance of trusted external partners in accelerating modernization and ensuring interoperability.
Public opinion reinforces this direction. A 2025 national survey showed that modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard ranked as the top measure Filipinos want the government to continue in defending the country’s maritime rights.
This support is significant. Sustained modernization requires consistent funding, legislative backing and public confidence that defense investments serve national interests. The convergence of policy direction and public sentiment strengthens the long-term viability of reform.
Operationalizing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) depends on this modernization drive. As an archipelagic state with vast coastlines and sea lanes, the Philippines must be able to monitor, secure and, when necessary, defend its maritime and aerial domains.
Enhancing domain awareness, command and control, connectivity across services, and credible deterrence—particularly in the maritime and aerial spheres—requires capabilities that the AFP is still acquiring. Modernization is not simply about platforms; it is about building an integrated defense posture capable of sustained operations.
Concrete steps have followed. The 2026 national budget reflects increased defense spending, including allocations for the Revised AFP Modernization Program. Yet even with higher appropriations, funding remains constrained relative to the scale of requirements.
The inclusion of foreign and domestic financing arrangements in the General Appropriations Act, alongside congressional efforts to strengthen the Department of National Defense (DND) and refine modernization mechanisms, signals recognition that procurement and financing frameworks must evolve to meet contemporary defense demands.
It is within this evolving policy environment that the Philippines–ROK defense relationship finds strong synergy. South Korea has developed mature defense industrial capabilities, producing interoperable systems aligned with Western standards while maintaining competitive pricing and reliable delivery schedules. For the Philippines, which seeks to modernize efficiently while ensuring sustainability, these attributes are particularly relevant.
Public perception again provides important context. In another national survey, South Korea ranked fifth among the countries Filipinos trust and believe the Marcos administration should work with in asserting national interests, particularly amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Trust, especially in defense cooperation, underpins long-term engagement and political sustainability.
The substance of Philippines–ROK defense cooperation reflects this alignment. In the revised Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program, emphasis is placed on strengthening deterrence in the maritime and aerial domains—areas where Korean defense firms have become key partners.
The Philippine Air Force introduced 12 FA-50PH light combat aircraft in 2014 and added another 12 in June 2025 from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). These aircraft have significantly enhanced the country’s air defense and pilot training capabilities, serving as both operational assets and transitional platforms toward more advanced fighters.
Beyond acquisition, KAI has signed a performance-based logistics contract with the DND covering the FA-50PH fleet through 2028, reinforcing the importance of sustainment, readiness and lifecycle support.
In the naval domain, cooperation has been equally substantive. In December 2025, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the DND signed the contract for the Philippine Navy Frigate Second Acquisition Program under Horizon 3. Since 2016, HHI has delivered two frigates and two corvettes and is building six Offshore Patrol Vessels, the first of which—BRP Rajah Sulayman—was commissioned this month.
These platforms expand maritime patrol coverage, increase operational endurance and enable sustained presence in strategically sensitive areas. Equipped with systems adaptable for anti-submarine warfare missions, they strengthen the Navy’s ability to detect, track and respond to undersea threats—an increasingly important dimension of regional security dynamics.
Looking ahead, President Lee’s visit presents an opportunity to elevate cooperation further. Potential collaboration on advanced platforms such as the KF-21 multirole fighter aircraft and the Cheonmu Multiple Launch Rocket System could enhance Philippine deterrence while deepening industrial, technological and training linkages between the two countries. Structured properly, such cooperation could also support skills transfer and longer-term institutional development.
Ultimately, the upcoming state visit underscores a broader reality: defense modernization in the Philippines is increasingly being pursued under the ambit of deeper partnerships with trusted states. As Manila seeks to build a credible and resilient defense posture, the Philippines–ROK relationship stands out as a model of how alignment between national priorities and partner capabilities can translate into concrete, sustainable security gains.
Linar-Mae Orbista is a program and research manager for defense and security at the think tank Stratbase Institute.
- Latest
