The country plans to expand its unmanned capabilities, including through development and acquisition of drones as part of efforts to modernise its military, its defence chief said.
US defence ally the Philippines also plans to acquire additional guided-missile corvettes and other major defence assets to beef up its external defence capabilities, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a budget hearing in the lower house of Congress.
The armed forces currently operate a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles that provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Teodoro said.
“As we mature on the cycle, then we can acquire more,” he said.
Drone expansion is part of a proposed 50 billion pesos (RM3.2bil) allocation for the Philippines’ modernisation programme next year.
The priority was also developing the systems, connectivity and operational know-how needed to use drones effectively, Teodoro added.
“More than the personnel, it is the integration into the operation, what do you do with them and how do you use them,” he said.
Teodoro declined to identify specific systems under consideration, saying the details were classified and highly sensitive.
“They are very, very sensitive to compromise, particularly with AI,” he said, adding that the Philippines was in close contact with several countries with expertise in drone technology.
Yuliia Fediv, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Philippines, said in June that Kyiv has been in discussions with Manila over drone technology cooperation. In June, the United States said it has given the Philippines four solar-powered sea drones to boost its maritime surveillance. — Reuters
