AFP Modernization Program Needs Urgent Reform
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program faces calls for urgent reform as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized the existing 15-year timeline as “too long and too impracticable.” Officials reported that the current AFP modernization program delays critical upgrades amid mounting external threats, urging a shift to a more dynamic framework.
Secretary Teodoro emphasized the need to revise the AFP modernization program to better respond to rapidly evolving defense needs. “I’m looking forward to also changing our modernization law. We cannot work with 15-year horizons. It’s too long and too impracticable,” he said during the signing of a letter of intent for the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Australia and the Philippines, local leaders noted.
Learning From the Ukraine Model
Experts and government officials alike point to the Ukraine conflict as a clear example of why the AFP modernization program must adopt a flexible and accelerated approach. The fast-changing battlefield in Ukraine demands continuous retooling and re-equipping every few months, driven by advancements such as artificial intelligence.
“We need to acquire new systems when needed and we need to have the wherewithal to build infrastructure to accommodate various systems, which is sadly lacking,” community members said, quoting Secretary Teodoro. He further remarked, “In Ukraine, they have to retool and re-equip every three months because of artificial intelligence. And you have a 15-year horizon?”
Understanding the 15-Year AFP Modernization Program
The AFP modernization program is structured into three distinct phases, known as Horizons. Horizon 1 spanned from 2013 to 2017, focusing on initial upgrades such as the acquisition of Del Pilar-class frigates and FA-50 light-lift interim fighters.
Horizon 2, which ran from 2018 to 2022, saw increased investment with a budget of P300 billion under the previous administration. This phase prioritized the procurement of multiple launch rocket systems, light tanks, armored recovery vehicles, multi-role fighter aircraft, and additional frigates, officials reported.
Re-Horizon 3 and the Push for Self-Reliance
The current phase, originally Horizon 3 set for 2023 to 2028, was revised into Re-Horizon 3 with a 10-year timeline approved in January 2024. This phase aims to establish a self-reliant defense posture by introducing more sophisticated equipment, including advanced fighter planes.
However, critics argue that even this adjusted timeline remains too extended to keep pace with modern defense challenges. They call for a modernization program that can adapt swiftly to technological advancements and emerging threats.
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