DND chief wants revision of AFP modernization
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. proposed on Friday another revision of the country’s military modernization law, saying the Revised AFP Modernization Act, or Republic Act No. 10349, has been overrun by slow planning and lack of infrastructure.
“I’m looking forward to changing our modernization law. We cannot work with 15-year horizons. It’s too long and too impracticable,” Teodoro said in a chance interview during the signing of a letter of intent for the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Australia and the Philippines.
Citing ongoing developments in the Russia-Ukraine War, Teodoro said that the modernization program needs to be more flexible, citing the scenario in Ukraine, which called for a faster planning phase.
New tools needed
“We need to acquire new systems when needed and we need to have the wherewithal to build infrastructure to accommodate various systems, which is sadly lacking,” Teodoro said.
“In Ukraine, they have to retool and re-equip every three months because of artificial intelligence,” he continued. “And you have a 15-year horizon?”
RA 10349, which was enacted in 2012, provided for a 15-year program consisting of three phases, known as Horizons.
Horizon 1 took place from 2013 to 2017, while Horizon 2 ran from 2018 to 2022. However, the Horizon 3, which was set for 2023 to 2028, was overhauled to Re-Horizon 3 in 2024 with a duration of 10 years.
Horizon 1 resulted in the acquisition of Del Pilar-class frigates, FA-50 light-lift interim fighters, among others.
Horizon 2 has been implemented since 2018 as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte allotted P300 billion for the acquisition of multiple launch rocket systems, light tanks, armored recovery vehicles, multirole fighter aircraft, frigates, among others.
The present Re-Horizon 3 prioritizes achieving a self-reliant defense posture program, bringing in more sophisticated equipment, such as fighter planes.
