New AFP Strategic Defense Command to oversee joint exercises with allies
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will launch this year a new military command, which will be in charge of strategic operations to enhance deterrence amid evolving security threats.
The responsibilities of the new AFP Strategic Command will include overseeing joint military exercises with international security allies and partners, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said during his visit to Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, on Sunday.
Brawner joined the top brass to remotely watch the first-ever integrated air and missile defense exercise from a command and control fusion center at the air force base. The drills, which took place in San Antonio, Zambales, were part of the three-week “Balikatan,” the biggest military exercises between the Philippines and the United States involving about 17,000 troops, that will run until May 9.
“We are setting up this year the Strategic Defense Command or the Strategic Command who will be the ones in charge of exercising with our allies and our partners so that we sharpen the knife, we improve the systems and we are able to act swiftly,” he said in his speech.
Brawner likened the upcoming unit to the new Joint Operations Command (JOC) of Japan, one of the Philippines’ closest security partners. The JOC, which was launched in March, is in charge of all joint operations and integrates all the branches of the Japan Self-Defense Force to respond to potential emergencies seamlessly.
“Several armed forces around the world are also adapting to the ever-evolving face of defense that we are facing,” he said.
Earlier this month, Brawner called on troops of the Northern Luzon Command to prepare for a Taiwan invasion contingency, saying they will be at the front-line of operations to rescue the over 250,000 overseas Filipino workers there.
Before that, the AFP also activated the Intelligence Command and Cyber Command to ensure the military’s readiness to deal with modern security challenges.
The Balikatan exercises are currently under the AFP’s Education, Training and Doctrine Command. Sunday’s inaugural missile drills saw both Filipino and American forces “interdict the enemies that are coming toward us,” Brawner said, as they simulated a response to airborne threats.
“If you noticed, it was very fast,” he said referring to the simulated attacks.” “This is the kind of warfare that we are going to see in the future, so we need a fast response. This is why it is very important to do these rehearsals so that if this action scenario is happening, we are ready,” he added.
