AFP plans to acquire more missile systems used in Balikatan exercises — Brawner

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning to acquire additional missile systems used during the 2026 Balikatan exercises, its chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Friday.

“We have plans of procuring more of the missile systems that we saw recently used here in the Balikatan exercise,” Brawner said in an ambush interview after the closing ceremony of 2026 Balikatan drills with the United States.

“So the air, the integrated air and missile defense as well, has to come into the picture. And in order for us to be able to have that capability to defend our archipelago from attacks, possible attacks from outside, then we will have to have these types of weapons,” he added.

He said the Philippines must be able to defend its archipelago independently despite cooperation with allied forces.

“Although we have, of course, our allies and partners, but we first have to rely on ourselves,” he said.

Brawner said the direction of AFP modernization is influenced by developments in modern warfare, citing the increasing use of missiles, drones, and integrated air and missile defense systems in recent global conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Among the missile systems used during this year’s Balikatan were the US' Tomahawk cruise missile and HIMARS, as well as Japan’s Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system.

Brawner said the Philippine military is also planning to expand the Balikatan exercises outside the country.

The AFP is also studying plans to expand aspects of the Balikatan beyond Philippine territory, although this does not involve deploying troops abroad.

Brawner said the proposal is focused on extending communications and coordination links with allied headquarters.

The main goal of the initiative is to improve interoperability and real-time coordination among partner forces by connecting Philippine command systems with counterparts in locations such as the US, Japan, and Australia.

Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) said the region is facing a “dangerous environment” due to coercive actions, territorial disputes, and escalating regional tensions.

“We’ve seen coercive activities. We’ve seen the penetration of territorial waters. We’ve seen unilateral announcements of excessive claims. We see that backed up with force,” Paparo said.

He added that these actions contribute to a tense security climate across the Indo-Pacific, particularly in disputed areas such as the South China Sea, where multiple countries maintain competing claims.

Paparo noted that the Philippines is among those directly affected by these tensions, citing the experiences of Filipino fisherfolk and the Philippine Coast Guard in contested waters.

“These are direct threats to the sovereignty, the prosperity, and the freedom of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. — BAP, GMA News