2 submarines on AFP’s wish list to defend WPS

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. —Photo from AFP FB page

MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to buy more antiship missile systems and two submarines to upgrade the military’s defense capability amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner said on Wednesday.

“It is a dream for us to get at least two submarines,” Brawner said, adding, “We are an archipelago and so we have to have this type of capability because it is really difficult to defend the entire archipelago without submarines.”

READ: WPS: US missile deployment to PH key for combat readiness – US general

Speaking before the Management Association of the Philippines in Taguig City, Brawner cited the “increase in China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“We have seen an increase also in the number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea on a daily basis. From 190 vessels in 2021, now we see 286 on the average daily for the year 2024,” he said.

Brawner stressed that the AFP would continue to “maintain effective presence” in the West Philippine Sea to “address territorial defense threats.” —Nestor Corrales