The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to buy two modern submarines as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), a defense official disclosed Friday, Nov. 17.
"The plan is now in the pipeline and is geared towards the acquisition of two modern submarines," said Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino, who was designated as DND Officer-In-Charge by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. from Nov. 14 to 17 while he is in Jakarta, Indonesia for an official foreign mission.
Last month, Espino led a Philippine delegation in South Korea to visit two major defense equipment manufacturers "as part of the promotion of peace and security in the Asian region."
One of the manufacturers was Hanwha Ocean, which is among the leading shipbuilders in South Korea, where Espino was briefed on the capabilities of the Jang Bogo-class submarine.
The South Korean submarine, according to Espino, is being proposed for the submarine acquisition program of the Philippine Navy. The submarine is currently being operated by the South Korean Navy.
The DND has included the acquisition of two submarines in its "wish list" submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of the third phase of the AFP modernization program.
The AFP has a 15-year modernization program that started in 2012 under Republic Act No. 10349 or the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Act.
This was enacted to strengthen the AFP's capability to address counter terrorism and global security threats.
Missile corvettes
Meanwhile, Espino was also briefed on the progress of the construction of two missile corvettes during his visit at the headquarters of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
The DND signed a P28-billion contract with HHI in 2021 for the acquisition of two brand new missile corvettes for the Philippine Navy. A corvette is a type of naval warship capable for anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare missions.
The first corvette is expected to be delivered in 2025, and the other one in 2026.
"With the changing global security environment, the Philippines must be equipped with modern defense assets," Espino stressed.
The DND official expressed confidence that the AFP will be able to acquire more modern weapon systems under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.