By Lane Afable, News Editor
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military is looking to acquire more missile weapon systems as part of its ongoing modernization efforts following the conduct of Exercise Balikatan 2026.
“That is the future direction of the AFP as we modernize our capabilities,” Brawner said.
He cited the ongoing conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, as well as tensions in the Middle East, as examples of the growing importance of missile systems, drones, and integrated air and missile defense in modern warfare.
Among the missile systems featured during this year’s Balikatan exercises were the United States’ Tomahawk missile system and Japan’s Type 88 anti-ship missile system.
“For us to be able to have that capability to defend our archipelago from possible attacks from outside, then we will have to have these types of weapons,” Brawner said.
He added that the Philippines must strengthen its own defense capabilities to independently protect its territory.
“We believe that we have to develop our own capabilities so that we can defend the archipelago by ourselves,” he said.
