The Department of National Defense (DND) has conducted a bilateral discussion with its counterpart in South Korea for the procurement of more patrol vessels and even submarines for the Philippine Navy.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the South Korean government, through Vice Minister Seo Hyeung Jin of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), has committed for support for the DND's acquisition as part of the Philippine military's modernization plan.
The desire for more warships and submarines came as the Philippine government starts to become more active in asserting its claims in the West Philippine Sea amid criticisms that President Duterte has practically surrendered the country's sovereignty in the disputes areas in the South China Sea for the last five years due to his alleged subservience to China.
The last time the Philippine government has procured equipment for territorial defense was the last administration wherein 12 fighter jets and several war ships were bought, including the two multi-role guided missile frigates officially commissioned in 2020 and 2021 as BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151).
Andolong said the Philippine delegation headed by Assistant Secretary Jesus Rey R. Avilla of the Office for Logistics, Acquisition and Self-Reliant Defense Posture, had already visited facilities dedicated to the manufacture and production of Korean-made submarines and ammunition raw materials.
Vice Minister Seo, for his part, also conveyed his invitation to Assistant Secretary Avilla to visit Korea for the PH-ROK 24th Joint Committee Meeting on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation which will be hosted by DAPA this year.