Philippines eyes drone expansion to modernize military amid South China Sea tensions

The Philippines is prioritizing the expansion of its unmanned capabilities, including the development and acquisition of drones, as a cornerstone of its military modernization. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced the plan on Tuesday, emphasizing the need to bolster external defense in response to escalating tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.

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As we mature on the cycle, then we can acquire more.

Teodoro revealed the drone expansion as part of a proposed 50 billion pesos ($810.4 million) allocation for the Philippines' modernization program in 2027. This represents a 25% increase compared to the current budget. The defense chief stressed that the focus is not just on acquiring hardware but also on developing the necessary systems, connectivity, and operational expertise to effectively integrate drones into military operations.

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More than the personnel, it is the integration into the operation, what do you do with them and how do you use them.

"More than the personnel, it is the integration into the operation, what do you do with them and how do you use them," Teodoro told lawmakers, highlighting the crucial role of secure communications and network capabilities. While declining to specify particular systems due to their sensitive nature, he indicated that the Philippines is engaging with countries possessing advanced drone technology. Discussions with Ukraine regarding drone technology cooperation have also been noted.

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They are very, very sensitive to compromise, particularly with AI.