A number of United States defense and security firms have expressed strong interest in co-production, joint development, and technology transfers in the Philippines, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) said Saturday.
The interest was raised during the 2025 Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines—the council’s largest industry delegation in its 41-year history. The mission, held in Manila on Aug. 14 and 15, brought together 26 leading US defense and aerospace companies as the two countries deepen defense cooperation.
“The US private sector is firmly committed to supporting the Philippines’ long-term security and economic goals. This mission reflects our enduring strategic partnership and shared vision for regional stability,” said USABC senior vice president Ted Osius.
The delegation met with more than 120 Philippine defense and security leaders, including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and top officials of the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other agencies.
Co-led by Osius and Boeing Southeast Asia vice president Dale McDowall, the mission underscored opportunities in defense systems, dual-use technologies, cyber capabilities, and workforce development.
“Missions like this are vital to advancing the next phase of military modernization in the Philippines. This work strengthens the nation’s readiness and elevates its strategic posture in a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific region,” McDowall said.
The group also received briefings on the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act and engaged with Filipino firms, including First Philippine Industrial Park and Armscor Global Defense, Inc. Armscor, which operates in over 65 countries, affirmed its support for SRDP to boost local defense manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Participating US companies included Boeing, GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Bell, RTX, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and several others involved in defense, aerospace, and emerging technologies.
