Aquino OKs 3-T 2016 Budget, Promises to Buy More Ships, Jets, Missiles, Radars, and Submarines

The Philippines plans to use its resources and buy anything it can inside its budget to upgrade its military capabilities.

With more than $20 billion budget, Major-General Raul del Rosario, military chief of plans, said the blueprint includes installing radars and sensors, and buying equipment such as submarines, frigates, fighters, surveillance planes and missile systems.

“By the time, we complete this plan, we will have complete coverage of the South China Sea,” said del Rosario, a former fighter pilot, showing the military’s detailed plan that was approved on Friday.

“We will have 24/7 awareness of what is happening in the disputed area and we’ll be able to respond quicker to any contingency in our own exclusive economic zone.”

The modernization program is designed to strengthen Manila’s claims in the South China Sea, believed to be rich in energy deposits.

About 34 billion pesos this year is promised by President Aquino to fund the purchase of two frigates and a twin-engine long range maritime craft, like that of P3-Orion flown by Japan Air Force with Philippine crew last month.

So far, the government has given the military 9.4 billion pesos in 2014. This has been used to purchase eight combat utility helicopters and as a down payment for 12 FA-50 fighter-trainers from South Korea. Two of the aircraft are expected in 2016.

Between 2018 and 2013, del Rosario added that the country would buy electric-diesel submarines and advanced missile systems.

Three aerial surveillance radars with a range of 350 nautical miles will also be installed in Ilocos Norte, Lubang island and Mount Salacot in Palawan, all facing the South China Sea to detect movements in the disputed area.

“We do not aim to defeat China,” del Rosario said. “But our goal is make any state think twice before attacking. We will make sure anybody attacking us would end up with a bloodied nose.”

The plan is still in its infancy phase, but the government is hopeful that massive upgrade will be realized soon once the Philippines receives all 12 fighter jets ordered from South Korea, 2 heavy landing crafts from Indonesia, 6 more helicopters from Canada, and 10 high-speed patrol boats from Japan.

The delivery of all pending orders are expected to be completed before 2016 ends according to a senior military official.

/Abs-Cbn/Carla Gamboa/

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