Teodoro: AFP modernization program review may be done by end-2023

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said the review on the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) may be finished by the end of 2023.

“Perhaps by the end of the year,” Teodoro told reporters in Pampanga during the turnover and blessing ceremonies of the C-208B aircraft at Clark Air Base when asked when the review will be finished.

According to Teodoro, the review should not be delayed because it may also push back the acquisition of the necessary military assets, which he said get more expensive as time goes on.

“Critical ngayon because of the fact that the sooner we wait and the sooner mas mabagal na matapos ang review natin, mamahal nang mamahal ang mga gamit,” he said.

(This is critical now because of the fact that the sooner we wait, the slower we will complete the review, the military assets that we should buy will be more expensive.)

“We are working day and night to try to establish our own systems and whatever capabilities that we can get from our treaty partners and other allies. We're trying to converge this into interoperable systems. It’s critical, highly critical that we get it now,” he added.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., in a separate interview, said that the changes in the modernization program will also depend on the changes in the military’s strategy in defending the country’s territory.

“Now we're looking at a change in our strategic direction when it comes to defending the archipelago. Kaya iyong ating (So our) modernization program will also depend on that shift in our strategy,” he said.

“This time we are focusing on really projecting our defenses to include the nine features that are being occupied by the Philippines,” Brawner added.

During a Senate budget hearing on September 7, Teodoro said he instructed the AFP to review and revise the target assets that will be acquired as they may no longer be relevant at the present time.

There were also some delays in the acquisition of some assets in the modernization program due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, it gives us a greenfield opportunity to re-vision and re-horizon our modernization. So I think we'd rather have, if we can fund it, contingent on new modernization requirements, then I think it would make better value for every peso spent,” Teodoro told senators. —KBK, GMA Integrated News