FORCE MODERNIZATION
DEFENSE RESOURCES
For almost five decades, the Philippines has been involved in internal security operations, conducting successive counter-insurgency campaigns against communist insurgents and Muslim secessionists. For external threats, the US base, in the Philippines, until their withdrawal in 1992, provided effective deterrence and protective umbrella. The reliance on US military support and the preoccupation with counter-insurgency are two important factors which hindered the development of an external defense capability on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Emphasis on internal security operations has placed considerable attention to the development of ground force capabilities as the Philippine Army spearheads the counter-insurgency campaign. In the conduct of COIN operations, the Philippine Air Force provides limited close air support for ground operations using both fixed and rotary-wing assets. It also Provides essential air mobility for the movement of troops and logistics. The Marine Carps performs ground operations against insurgents particularly in the Sulu Archipelago. The Philippine Navy occasionally provides naval gunfire support and sea lift assets. Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and Navy ships and patrol vessels provide limited capability for maritime surveillance and interdiction.
In addition to combat missions, Air Force, Navy and Army resources are mobilized for non-combat missions like search and rescue, disaster relief and rehabilitation, infrastructure development, civic action and support to other government agencies and NGOs.
A closer look at the Present inventory of AFP inventory today indicates that even it ground capability has been the primary focus of force development for several decades, air and naval capabilities have not been neglected and have been maintained at a modest level.
Major Weapon System of the Armed Forces:
(Serviceable items based on 1997 Congressional budget hearing)
| ARMY | |
|
Scorpion (Light tank) Simba (Armored Vehicle) Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle V150 Commando M113 Armored Personnel Carrier 155mm Howitzer 105mm Howitzer |
16 150 40 79 66 7 237 |
To operate and manage its numerous tasks and activities, the Department of National Defense has a complement of 111,431 personnel with 10,201 officers and 100,444 enlisted personnel. This is supported by a civilian work force of over 14,000 (data as of first quarter 1998).
For the defense budget, the following table present a five-years trend, from 1993 to 1997, showing the defense budget as a percentage of the country's nominal Gross National Product and the national budget:
| Year | Budget | % of GNP | % of Nat'l Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 |
21.04 B* 22.70 B 26.15 B 29.20 B 39.92 B 50.89 B |
1.39 1.31 1.33 1.28 1.55 |
6.80 7.04 6.75 7.03 8.38 10.80 |
The 1998 budget factors in inflation and the increasing requirements of the Department of National Defense -for personnel services, operating expenses and capital outlay.
AFP MODERNIZATION
It is apparent that the Armed Forces of the Philippines needs to modernize. It needs to invest in new platforms and new technology, to develop new defense concepts and doctrine, to restructure the organization. Acquisition of modern arms is not only to replace aging weapons and equipment but more importantly, to enable the Armed Fores to effectively face greatly expanded tasks in defense and nation-building well into the future.
The need to monitor and protect the extensive maritime and coastal areas, to protect communities against a wide range of security threats, both military and non-military (piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing) and to contribute to he nation's growth and development -all these require an Armed Forces equipped with modern technology. The continuing modernization of the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is vital if it is to be responsive and effective in dealing with the demands and challenges of national security and defense in the 21st century.
The 15-year AFP Modernization Program, currently underway, is the centerpiece program in the force modernization process. This is supported by various modernization programs of a lesser scale but nonetheless vital to the development of the Armed Forces into a modern military organization. These modernization programs are designed to upgrade defense capabilities particularly in the areas of information technology, mobility, command, control and communications.
The AFP Modernization Program
The AFP Modernization Program was approved by Congress last December 19, 1996 following the passing of Republic Act 7898 or the AFP Modernization Law last February 23, 1995. The primary objective of the program is essentially to upgrade and enhance the military capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with particular emphasis on air and naval capabilities.
It is important to realize that the modernization of the AFP is a long term process: 15 years far the acquisition process and as long as 22 years for the payment period. The 15-year acquisition period is subdivide into three five-year periods with platforms and weapons programmed for procurement in each phase.
The program consists of five components, namely:
1. Force Restructuring and Organizational Development focuses on reorganizing the Armed Forces into a compact, efficient at and responsive standing force with the capability for defense and nation-building functions. Manpower will be reduced by as much as 20% to about 90,000 in a ten-year period to create a "lean and mean" organization.
The role of reserve forces will be emphasized through a "Total Force" concept which will build the reserve force as a responsive and ready formation that will provide for the expansion of the AFP in case of war or national emergency.
2. Capability, Materiel and Technology Development involves the acquisition and upgrade of armaments and equipment which will be synchronized with the phase out of uneconomical and obsolete weapon systems and other equipment. Major equipment to be procured include:
Air Form: multi-role lighters, surface attack aircraft, long range patrol air craft and air defense radar;
Navy: corvettes, offshore patrol vessels and patrol crafts;
Army: armored vehicles, helicopters, artillery and air defense systems.
3. Bases/Support System Development entails the development of permanent land, air and naval bases with adequate support systems and facilities.
4. Human Resource Development involves the development of the overall level of competence and professionalism of the Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Corps, enlisted and civilian personnel.
5. Doctrine Development requires the formulation, evaluation and institutionalization of doctrine at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
The total amount required for AFP modernization is P331 billion over a 15-year procurement period and a projected 22-year payment period. The is divided into two sub-programs due to legislative and financial constraints. Sub-program I, the core program, is allocated a budget of P164 billion while the ancillary program, sub-program II, requires P167 billion. Congress has further limited an allocation ceiling of P50 billion for the first five-year phase of sub-program. Succeeding budget figures for the next two phases will be dependent upon the overall performance of the economy.
AFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
(Equipment Acquisition)
AIR FORCE
NAVY
| Type | Sub-program I | Sub-program II |
|---|---|---|
|
Corvette Patrol Craft Patrol Boat Offshore Patrol Vessel Mine Warfare Vesse Frigate |
3 18 10 7 1 |
3 6 6 5 2 3 |
ARMY
| Type | Sub-program I | Sub-program II |
|---|---|---|
|
Individual Weapon Crew-Served Weapon Artillery Armor Aviation Air Defense |
15 lots* 6 lots 112 19 17 4 lots |
2 lots 5 lots 40 89 9 lots |
Besides Congressional allocation, other sources of funds for modernization include profitable schemes like the sale of excess AFP equipment, sale of government real estate and other ventures. Sub-program II is meant to be implemented subject to the availability of funds should the economy prove capable.
A major feature of the AFP Modernization Program is the support it offers to local defense industries as well as important benefits to the nation's industrial base. This can be done through various schemes of technology transfer, co-production and joint ventures with local companies. This is a big boost to the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program being vigorously pursued by the government.
Another unique feature is the countertrade scheme which can be used to introduce now technologies and industrial skills in the Philippines while helping conserve foreign exchange and balance of trade.
The Department of National Defense is continuously working towards the establishment of a rational and effective project management system that will manage the implementation of the various modernization projects based on efficiency, ethics and "value for money".
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