AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2024): AFP modernization's Horizon 3 to focus on archipelagic defense (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (PNA photo by Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – The Horizon 3 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) will focus on improving the military's archipelagic defense capabilities, the country's military chief said Monday.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. made this remark when asked whether President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had already approved the list of equipment and weapons system itemized for Horizon 3.

"Hindi pa po na-approve ng ating Pangulo yun Horizon 3 (the President is still to approve Horizon 3), we are still in the process of refining it further but the Horizon 3 of our modernization program will focus on the archipelagic defense concept)," Brawner said during the press briefing held shortly after the AFP Command Conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

By focusing on the archipelagic defense concept, the AFP chief said the military plans to acquire more ships, aircraft and radar systems.

This defensive concept is aimed at protecting the country's 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

Horizon 3 was initially scheduled from 2023 to 2028, while Horizon 2 from 2018 to 2022 and Horizon 1 from 2013 to 2017.

Earlier, Brawner said the multirole fighters, which are being eyed to backstop the 12 FA-50PH light jet fighters acquired from South Korea, will be acquired under Horizon 3.

PBBM present

Brawner also said the President, who attended the command conference, cited the need to "reconfigure our approaches to dealing with the different threat groups."

Brawner was referring to the "communist terrorist groups, the local terrorist groups, the threats being faced in the West Philippine Sea", alongside those natural disasters.

He said all these threats pose a challenge to the AFP, adding that Marcos instructed them to "think of new ways of dealing with them (through) innovative ways."

"That is why, we really have to really make sure that we study all of these things very carefully so that we come up with the necessary solutions," he added.

In resolving these threats, Brawner said a whole-of-nation approach is needed along with the citizenry.

"Most especially, our President mentioned that we also have to gain the support of our international allies and partners, countries that are like-minded with us," he said.

The AFP chief also clarified that the President does not see anything wrong with the present setup and was merely stressing the need to reconfigure to be more effective in addressing the threats.

One of the developments cited by Marcos, Brawner said, is developments in cyber warfare.

In response, he said the creation of the AFP Cyber Command would allow them to counter threats in the cyber domain.

Habitable features in WPS

Meanwhile, Brawner said the AFP will focus on making all Philippine-held islands and features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) more habitable to troops manning them.

"We will also focus on developing the islands (WPS) and the other features that we are occupying, for instance Pagasa, Lawak and the other features that we are occupying," he added.

Brawner also clarified that this does not include "fortifying" the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) which stands watch over Ayungin Shoal.

He added the goal is to make the living quarters of Filipino troops manning these features more liveable.

These include provision of desalination machines to provide drinking water and communication facilities to enable troops to talk to their families.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216955