PAF to fortify airpower capability to defend Philippines from 'emerging threats'

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking to further strengthen its airpower capability to better defend the nation from "emerging threats."
Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño, PAF commanding general, led the presentation of insights and recommendations for the modernization of the national defense's air arm to President Marcos Jr. during the PAF's 2nd Quarter Command Conference at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Monday, May 13.
Under the "Rehorizon 3" modernization program, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intends to procure equipment that would boost its maritime and aerial domain awareness, and C4ISTAR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition, and Reconnaissanc) capabilities.
This also includes the procurement of more sophisticated fighter planes for the PAF.
Parreño also briefed the Commander-in-Chief on the PAF's plan to improve its disaster response capabilities.
The PAF chief thanked Marcos for backing the modernization efforts of the military as they face a daunting task of defending the nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
"We look forward to his continuous support in our modernization efforts to become a truly capable, credible, and sustainable Air Force that our nation needs and deserves," Parreño said.
The command conference was also attended by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.
Also present were Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr., and other senior PAF officials.
The quarterly command conference aims to review and evaluate the role of the PAF as a more capable, credible, and sustainable force provider to the AFP.
It also highlights outstanding accomplishments of PAF units and disseminates updates, plans, and programs of the Command down to units on the ground.
The first quarter command conference was held on February 7.