AFP plans new Strategic Defense Command for joint exercises

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) plans to establish a new Strategic Defense Command to oversee joint military exercises with other countries.

Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, an AFP spokesperson, announced during an interview on Wednesday that the command will be operational within the year and is currently in a provisional phase.

Padilla explained that while current training exercises are under the Education, Training, and Doctrine Command, the new unit will specifically address all joint military exercises and modern equipment integration.

The expansion in scope and modernization efforts necessitate this establishment to integrate various nations' interoperability during joint military exercises like the annual Balikatan drills with US forces involving 17,000 troops.

This proposed unit aims to provide training on the use of new equipment and enhance cooperation between foreign militaries conducting exercises with the Philippines.