The AFP celebrated its 90th foundation anniversary last Dec. 19, 2025, with the theme “AFP @90, Matatag sa Paglilingkod sa Bayan” in modest yet solemn rites. The celebration aligns with the situation the country is facing today and signals a renewed and more focused approach to achieve a credible defense posture. To protect the country’s territory and sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a strong and effective response is crucial to ensure that any intruder faces substantial costs. President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. stressed this point during the AFP anniversary, “We bring forward a modern AFP that is capable, credible, and steady—strong to deter threats, disciplined to prevent escalation, and principled to protect peace.”

The past year was marked by major milestones that brought our security posture to new heights.

Guided by the 10-year ₱2 trillion Re-Horizon3 AFP Modernization Program as the framework, capability development for credible defense was continued. However, in the 2025 modernization budget of ₱75 billion, only ₱35 billion was appropriated, with ₱40 billion in standby appropriations.

Notably, cutting-edge equipment has arrived for credible deterrence. Two modern frigates, Malvar-class, were delivered armed with missiles, advanced radar systems, and anti-submarine capabilities, and operationally deployed. The deployment of two mobile Brahmos coastal batteries, with the third battery arriving early this year, gives the nation the ability to strike surface vessels as far as 290 kilometers. Twenty S-70i Black Hawk helicopters out of 32 procured in the last two years (with 10 delivered in 2025). Moreover, the government approved the procurement of 12 FA-50 Block 20 light fighter jets and six A-29B Super Tucano Aircraft. Lastly, Japan will donate three Abukuma-class destroyer escorts. These enhance disaster response, troop movements, and close air support. Overall, the improved maritime security posture has hastened the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

With 85 percent satisfaction rating in a national survey, the AFP has retained its credibility. It has even reinforced its reputation by remaining uninvolved in politics. Even with provocations and disinformation, the AFP, led by General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., AFP chief of staff, remained true to its calling and displayed its commitment to democratic ideals. Its professionalism and discipline helped secure democracy and blocked internal divisions from occurring.

Near possible conflict zones, vital infrastructures were enhanced or erected. The completion of the airfield, coupled with the development of a naval facility in Balabac, Palawan has reinforced air and sea operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). To improve rapid sea and air deployments in the Luzon Strait—a key maritime choke point—the Mahatao Forward Operating Base in Batanes was inaugurated.

General Brawner described these developments when he stated, “We are building a more agile, integrated, and multi-domain-ready AFP.” But modern warfare has evolved. Ukraine showed that by adopting an asymmetric strategy, a small military can inflict maximum cost on the enemy. With a small navy, its naval drones crippled enemy warships and restricted passage in the seas. Its aerial and land drones wreaked huge casualties and repulsed enemy attacks.

As an archipelago, the nation can learn lessons from these new developments to craft suitable and innovative approaches. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which we now possess in limited numbers, are detecting intruding ships from afar. UAVs can also monitor intrusions by enemies or criminals on atolls, islets, and islands in the nation’s territorial seas and EEZs. Unmanned surface vessels can guard the WPS, while underwater drones can monitor intrusions in maritime choke points. If needed, unmanned systems can coordinate to launch attacks against ships and submarines or conduct strikes independently.

Significant growth has been achieved. Yet, defense and security policies must be enhanced. The modernization program must be supported through multiyear funding obligations. Jointness must be emphasized through improved coordination among the Navy, Air Force, and the Army to operate as a unified force. New equipment must be integrated with logistics and training. Alliances must focus on advancing new and improved capabilities. There is a need to research and develop unmanned defense systems that can be manufactured locally. Lastly, ensure that the CPP-NPA cannot recover its former influence as the shift from internal to external defense is made.

A strong start toward a credible deterrence has begun, but significant glitches remain. Limited funding was provided for modernization. Bureaucratic red tape delays the acquisition of much-needed equipment. Yet the actions of the past year prove that political backing and solid leadership drive meaningful progress.

Overall, key milestones have been reached that advance strategic objectives. From mainly conducting internal defense, the AFP shifted to building a credible defense posture. Whether this becomes the norm will now depend on the policy decisions made from this point onward.

(Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret) served as the 8th commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, the 32nd commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, and the former deputy chief of staff for Operations, J3 of the AFP. He is now the VP for cooperative planning and marketing of PAFCPIC, a cooperative serving the active and retired AFP personnel.)