The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the European Union's (EU) €15 million security assistance will deepen the country's maritime capabilities by improving its awareness of activities at sea while supporting its goal of building a stronger and more self-reliant military.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the assistance under the European Peace Facility complements, rather than replaces, the country's efforts to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

“Foremost, we would like to highlight that good partnerships do not replace self-reliance. They actually strengthen it,” Padilla said.

“Our maritime picture is now clearer. We can also make the right decisions faster. In this case, our awareness is our first line of defense,” she added.

EU approved its first-ever assistance measure for the Philippines under the European Peace Facility. Worth €15 million or approximately P1.05 billion, the package is the first to be implemented in the Indo-Pacific region.

The security aid was announced on July 24 following the meeting between EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Under the assistance measure, the AFP will receive support to strengthen its maritime domain awareness capabilities.

EU said the program will improve the Philippine Navy's ability to detect, monitor and analyze activities within the country's maritime zones. It will also help develop a more comprehensive maritime picture, enhance early warning, and improve coordination and response by naval and maritime security forces.

“We welcome the European Union's Maritime Security Assistance under the European Peace Facility. It will strengthen our maritime domain awareness and enhance our capability, our ability to safeguard our country's maritime interests,” Padilla said.

During their meeting, Kallas and Teodoro also reaffirmed the strength of the EU-Philippines partnership, noting the gains made under the Security and Defence Dialogue launched in June 2025, which expanded cooperation on maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, and foreign information manipulation and interference between the two countries.

They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based international order that upholds peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Padilla said the latest assistance also reflects the confidence of the country’s international partners in the AFP.

“This support actually reflects the growing confidence of like-minded partners in the AFP. It also reinforces the commitment to a rules-based international order, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law,” she said.

Padilla said the AFP will continue working with partner countries while improving its own capabilities.

“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we will remain committed to working with our partners to build a more capable, interoperable, and resilient defense force that supports regional peace, stability, and security,” she said.