PRAGUE, Czech Republic — President Marcos has invited Czech defense companies to submit proposals to the Philippine government and participate in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said this as he met Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala here in Prague on Thursday afternoon, March 14.

In his remarks, the President welcomed the Czech Republic's commitment to supporting the AFP modernization program, saying it comes at a time when the country is in the process of modernizing the capabilities and capacities of the AFP.

“The Czech Republic has always been active as a source of equipment from the Philippines. And so, we come again to the Czech Republic and offer the partnership with the Czech Republic and the Philippines,” he said.

With this, Marcos enjoined the Czech Republic's defense industry to take part in improving the Philippines' defense capabilities.

“We invite the Czech defense companies, defense industry, for them to submit proposals, and to, once again, participate in the, to supply the Philippines future defense capability requirement,” he said.

"We encourage the technology transfer investments and other innovative arrangements of co-production joint ventures," he added.

According to President Marcos, the Czech Republic’s participation in the AFP’s modernization program will enhance its capacity and capability and serve as an important part of strengthening the relations between the two countries.

For his part, Prime Minister Fiala said the Czech Republic is ready to help the Philippines boost its defense security measures as he emphasized that the “Czech beneficiaries” are ready to supply technologies needed “to build resources in the future.”

“The Philippines is a more regional partner in the field of defense and the corporation is just an operation and they are very interested to help with the process of modernization of military equipment,” he said.

Part of the AFP modernization program is the procurement schedule under the Re-Horizon Phase 3 of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP), and the training of the military force.

Under the Re-horizon 3, the Philippine government plans to acquire more ships, aircraft, and radar systems to focus on improving the military’s archipelagic defense capabilities.

Before President Marcos’ State Visit to the Czech Republic, several Czech defense companies offered their products as potential solutions to requirements under the RAFPMP. Last month, Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Karel Hejč accompanied a Czech defense delegation in a courtesy call on senior officials of the Department of Defense (DND) led by Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino.