FOR three days this week, the military was provided with an opportunity to review what it has so far achieved, and what it would still need in its ongoing modernization program through the Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) 2022 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
The ADAS 2022, which was supported by the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other agencies of government, has shown the country’s “strategic importance,” according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who added that the event has placed the Philippines at the center stage of defense and security.
With 155 exhibitors from 31 countries who make the best assets, equipment, weapons and technologies in the world of defense and security, the exhibition accorded the Philippine military the chance to actually reassess its capability upgrade program and provided it with a list of future acquisitions.
“We encourage all personnel from the defense and security sectors to maximize this opportunity presented by ADAS 2022 to attend this highly significant event and update themselves on the latest weapon systems and equipment,” Lorenzana said in opening the event.
On the other hand, AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino said the military joined the ADAS in order to update itself and evaluate its modernization program requirements, given the actual presence of the world’s leading defense manufacturers and their state-of-the-art and cutting-edge assets, equipment and technologies.
“The defense and security sector has significantly benefited from the ADAS series. By establishing networks and fostering stronger collaboration with the leaders of the industry, the event provides opportunities for our policymakers to develop effective and swift responses against a myriad of national security threats,” Centino said.
Biggest names in business
THE ADAS 2022 assembled the biggest names in defense and security, some of which have been the contractors of the military’s previous and ongoing modernization projects as well as proponents of its upcoming procurements.
They include the Korean Aerospace Industries, Embraer, Airbus and Rafael, which delivered fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft and even upcoming missile systems for the Philippine Air Force.
Other firms such as Elbit Systems, Hyundai Heavy Industries and contractors from the Czech Republic have also supplied the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy and law-enforcement units with warships, howitzers, light tanks and firearms, while Brahmos Aerospace is set to deliver to the military its first batteries of supersonic missiles.
The companies have brought along other products with them, while other defense contractors showcased their own platforms, systems and technologies as they competed for customers and markets, both in the military and civilian sectors.
“What we have here is basically cross cutting through the Czech defense industry. We have companies that are doing aircraft. We have Excalibur Army. We have CZ company, which is actually one of the most famous, one of the biggest producers of handguns in the world,” said Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defense Deputy Director Ben Ziga.
“Then we are looking at electronic warfare jammers, intelligent humans, air traffic control and radars. What we have here is everything from heavy equipment to electronic warfare,” he added.
Czech companies and other exhibitors are looking forward to sustaining the third and last phase of the military’s modernization while prospecting for other markets as the ADAS drew visitors and interested clients from even other militaries, civilians and companies abroad.
The ‘threats’
“YOU know you are facing threats in the South China Sea that are obvious you need electronic warfare, you need jammers, you need intelligent equipment,” Ziga said.
Touring the booths, Centino said he saw a lot of products and systems that fit into their modernization program.
“It’s not just for the military. We have seen unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that we can use in humanitarian assistance and disaster response. I saw one UAS that can take off vertically, which we can use in calamity assessment,” he said.
“Instead of using our helicopters, which only have two hours of endurance, we can use this for 12 hours in calamity areas,” he added.
Centino said that without the ADAS, they would not see the capabilities of assets and equipment that they intend to acquire.
The chief of staff said the modernization program, being part of the law, would not stop even with the change of elected government leaders after the May 9 elections.
He defended the holding of the exhibition and the ongoing procurement of the military against claims that it could trigger an arms race in the region.
“All armed forces are modernizing, so it’s important that we are also on a par with our allies. We have to upgrade and improve our capability,” the military chief said.
Looking for bigger acquisitions
LORENZANA also said the defense department is looking for more acquisitions, which are bigger ones, in the last phase of the modernization program.
“We have bought a lot and a lot more will be procured. We are actually waiting for money. Horizon 3 is for sophisticated equipment,” he said, mentioning submarines as one of the projects.
Image credits: Roy Domingo