Philippines closer to acquiring submarine for maritime security

BUSAN – The Philippines’ aspiration to acquire a submarine to boost its maritime security moved forward as President Marcos yesterday met with a giant shipbuilder offering support to the Philippine Navy’s submarine program.

Executives of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean discussed with Marcos its proposal to assist the Navy’s submarine program on the sidelines of this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The proposal involves the building of a submarine base, the establishment of a local maintenance, repair and overhaul center and the training of Filipino naval operators, maintainers and commanders using advanced simulators and systems.

“Executives of the Hanwha Ocean informed the President of their plans for the deployment of KSS-III PN (Philippine Navy) submarines equipped with modern sonar and combat systems and lithium-ion batteries for longer underwater endurance, along with technology transfer and partnerships with local industries to advance the Philippines’ self-reliant defense capability,” the PCO said.

The acquisition of submarines is a key component of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.

In a recent report, state-run Philippine News Agency said the AFP aims to purchase at least two submarines of the diesel-electric type. The budget for the acquisition of submarines ranges from P80 billion to P110 billion, according to the report.

The Marcos administration has been upgrading its capabilities as the Philippines faces a more aggressive China in the West Philippine Sea, but officials insist the upgrades are not directed against a particular country.

Task Force Philippines

In a related development, Marcos expressed hope that the Task Force Philippines launched by Manila and its traditional ally Washington would ease tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The creation of the task force, intended to address security threats and protect the two countries’ interests in the region, was announced by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his US counterpart Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Malaysia.

“I hope it will lower the tensions in West Philippine Sea. It will certainly not heighten them because it’s not something new. Tensions will only heighten if someone tried something new,” Marcos told reporters after the APEC summit here.

Marcos said the task force is just about organizing the two countries’ troops into a more cohesive unit to protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.