Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido (PNA file photo)
The Philippine Army (PA) is moving ahead with its plans to acquire short-range air defense missile systems as part of its modernization efforts, PA commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido confirmed on Monday.
The procurement, already allocated in the Army’s budget, is now in the acquisition phase.
“It is already in our appropriations, meaning in the budget of the PA, which was listed last year, that the Army will acquire short-range air defense systems. And this is now in operation, meaning the mechanism to acquire it is being undertaken,” Galido stated in an interview.
Strengthening defense against aerial threats
The acquisition of these missile systems aims to enhance the Army’s capability to defend key military installations, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive assets from potential air attacks.
This initiative is separate from the Philippine Navy’s air defense system procurement, which is focused on protecting its newly acquired BrahMos cruise missile platforms.
According to Galido, developing missile defense capabilities is essential to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) ongoing modernization efforts.
“Just like what I mentioned last year, the Army is venturing into identifying platforms or capabilities that would enable the Army to project our force within the sovereignty of the country, which includes our 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in coordination with and in support of the Navy and Air Force,” he explained.
No specific system has been selected yet
While the Army has secured funding for the air defense system, it has yet to finalize the specific model or supplier. “As to the brand, we haven’t identified a specific brand, but we go for the platform and its capability,” Galido added, emphasizing that the focus is on ensuring the system meets the Army’s operational requirements.
The move comes amid the Philippines’ broader efforts to bolster its military capabilities in response to regional security challenges.
With air defense’s growing importance in modern warfare, the PA’s investment in missile systems is expected to significantly enhance its ability to counter potential threats in the years to come.
