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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy showcases growing drone warfare capabilities

PH Navy showcases growing drone warfare capabilities

Published Oct 27, 2025 02:22 pm
Dr. Jonathan Maglasang (left) discusses with officials of the Philippine Navy, led by Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta (second from right), a Cebu Technological University-led development of autonomous surface ship and hybrid marine-air vehicle projects during the Philippine Navy Drone Warfare Summit in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City on Oct. 27, 2025. (Photo: Naval Research and Technology Development Center, Philippine Navy)
Dr. Jonathan Maglasang (left) discusses with officials of the Philippine Navy, led by Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta (second from right), a Cebu Technological University-led development of autonomous surface ship and hybrid marine-air vehicle projects during the Philippine Navy Drone Warfare Summit in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City on Oct. 27, 2025. (Photo: Naval Research and Technology Development Center, Philippine Navy)
The Philippine Navy (PN) highlighted its expanding capabilities in drone warfare and unmanned systems as it opened its first-ever Drone Warfare Summit 2025 on Monday, Oct. 27, in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City.
The three-day event, organized by the Philippine Fleet (PF) in partnership with the Defense Expo Philippines, brings together military leaders, defense industry experts, technology developers, policymakers, and international partners to advance the integration of drone technology across air, sea, and land domains.
Department of National Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that the summit underscores the nation’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and defense self-reliance in an era where “technology defines not only economic competitiveness but also national security.”
“The responsible development and integration of unmanned systems is no longer optional; it is essential,” Teodoro said in his speech delivered by DND Assistant Secretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development Augusto Gaite.
He stressed that for an archipelagic nation like the Philippines, drones play a vital role in surveillance, logistics, maritime domain awareness, and disaster response.
Teodoro also linked the event to the DND’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program, which aims to strengthen local defense manufacturing and research. “By investing in our own people, research institutions, and industries, we are also investing in our sovereignty,” he said.
Among the SRDP's initiatives include Project BUHAWI, a Philippine-made automated heavy-barrel .50-caliber gun mount that boosts firepower on Navy patrol craft; SC3LS, a tactical data-link and asset-tracking system; and several academe-led innovations such as the development of autonomous surface and hybrid vessels, tsunami detection system, and fiber-reinforced ballistic protection.
The summit features interactive exhibits, breakout sessions, and live demonstrations, including a major drone showcase at Malawaan Park, which highlights both indigenous and international advancements in unmanned systems and counter-drone technologies.
Participants from Canada, Turkey, Spain, France, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Norway, and other nations will also present cutting-edge systems for modern warfare applications.
Teodoro also highlighted that while drones enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) ability to “see, sense, decide, and act” with greater precision, they remain “force multipliers, not replacements for the human element.”
He emphasized the importance of integrating these technologies within existing doctrines and command structures.

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