Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 14) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seen to be fully ready to defend the country’s territory in at least three years as it continues to modernize, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Friday.
“We are really upgrading the many equipment or many technological advances that come with the military right now, and I think as I’ve said on many occasions that we will be ready with our Armed Forces with the kind of defense posture that we’ve been looking at in about 3-5 years,” Romualdez told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
He made the statement following a ministerial dialogue among foreign affairs and defense officials of the Philippines and the United States, with defense as one of the main topics discussed.
Following the meeting, officials from both countries issued a joint statement outlining their commitments, which include adopting a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap in the coming months that will guide shared defense modernization investments and inform the delivery of priority platforms over the next 5 to 10 years.
According to Romualdez, the US will provide the Philippines access to be able to purchase the necessary equipment to enhance the latter’s defense capabilities.
\”If we had all the money in the world, then we can bump up our purchase of our equipment,\” he said. \”We are not asking for aid from the United States, we are slowly but surely buying equipment we need.\”
\”Because of our relationship with the United States, this technology is being given in a manner that we will be able to afford,\” he added.
Among the military equipment that the government is working on purchasing are additional Black Hawk choppers to replace the currently used Huey helicopters.
The Philippines will also procure attack helicopters from Turkey, and heavy lift helicopters, he also said.
Several water assets are currently being acquired, like coast guard cutters from Japan, Romualdez noted.
