US approves $500M military financing for PH

The Philippines is set to receive $500 million in foreign military financing from the United States, the largest such package ever provided by the US to the Philippines, approved by the US Congress to support the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated the funding is proof of the Biden administration's support for the Philippines amid challenges in the West Philippine Sea, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the aid aims to help defend Philippine sovereignty.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. indicated that the funds will also support Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) investments and civil defense for humanitarian disasters, including cyber capabilities.

The US Embassy in the Philippines spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay stated that the Foreign Military Financing will focus on asymmetric capabilities and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities to enhance maritime security and maritime domain awareness.

The planned procurement efforts will target equipment and materials that are available to reach the Philippines quickly.

Teodoro added that the priorities will be laid down in the security sector assistance roadmap and that these, along with EDCA investments, will serve to secure the Philippines' credible deterrent posture.