South China Sea: Philippines’ Marcos approves purchase of submarines to defend sovereignty, amid growing China tensions

The purchase of the submarines is part of the Philippines’ plan to modernise their military, amid a shift in strategy away from internal to external defence

The announcement comes at a time of growing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea

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Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says his country is looking to purchase submarines as part of a plan to modernise the military, and defend the country’s sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Photo: AP

Published: 4:31pm, 1 Feb 2024

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has approved the third phase of the military’s modernisation, which includes the purchase of the country’s first submarine, to defend its maritime sovereignty in the disputed South China Sea.

Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, Roy Trinidad, said on Thursday the third phase of modernisation reflected a shift in strategy away from internal to external defence.

“We may not be a large navy … but we would have a navy that will take care of our territorial rights and sovereignty,” Trinidad said.

The third phase of the modernisation plan, which underwent revisions to make it more attuned to the country’s needs, is estimated to cost 2 trillion pesos (US$35.62 billion) and will be implemented over a period of several years, said Trinidad.

The announcement comes at a time of growing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Manila refers to that part of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea.

Trinidad could not immediately say how many submarines the Philippines intend to acquire, but he said, “definitely more than one.”

05:12

Philippines races to upgrade its degrading military in the face of maritime disputes

France, Spain, South Korea and Italy have shown interest in supplying the Philippines with submarines, he said.

South China Sea: Philippines’ Marcos approves purchase of submarines to defend sovereignty, amid growing China tensions

The purchase of the submarines is part of the Philippines’ plan to modernise their military, amid a shift in strategy away from internal to external defence The announcement comes at a time of growing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea

The purchase of the submarines is part of the Philippines’ plan to modernise their military, amid a shift in strategy away from internal to external defence

The announcement comes at a time of growing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea