In order to protect Philippine maritime sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized the third phase of the military’s modernization, which involves the acquisition of the nation’s first submarine.
Roy Trinidad, a spokesman for the Navy in the West Philippine Sea, stated on Thursday that the third phase of modernization showed a change in focus from internal to external defence.
“We may not be a large navy…but we would have a navy that will take care of our territorial rights and sovereignty,” Trinidad told the media.
According to Trinidad, the third phase of the modernization plan, which was revised to better suit the demands of the nation, is expected to cost 2 trillion pesos ($35.62 billion) and be implemented over a number of years.
The statement is being made at a time when tensions with China over South China Sea territorial issues are rising. West Philippines Sea is how Manila refers to the portion of the South China Sea that is located inside its exclusive economic zone.
Trinidad stated that the Philippines “definitely more than one” submarine, though he was unable to quickly identify how many.
According to him, the Philippines has expressed interest in purchasing submarines from France, Spain, Korea, and Italy.
As for the military modernization plan, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said last month that acquisitions under the third phase will focus on an array of capabilities, ranging from domain awareness, intelligence, and deterrence capabilities in the maritime and aerial space.
Beijing and Manila have traded sharp accusations in recent months over a succession of run-ins in the South China Sea, where each has overlapping sovereignty claims, including charges that China in December rammed a ship carrying the Philippine armed forces chief. Southeast Asian neighbors like Indonesia and Vietnam already have submarine programs.
The majority of the South China Sea is claimed by China; however, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia also have claims to some of this area. China disputes the decision made by an international tribunal in 2016 over a case that was brought by the Philippines, which invalidated Beijing’s claim.
