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Philippines plans expanded military drone network to integrate AI and comms
Manila is seeking a 50 billion peso allocation for 2027 military modernization, including upgrades to secure communications and networks for unmanned systems.
The Philippines is expanding its military drone fleet as part of its external defense strategy amid concern about a much larger Chinese military presence at sea, according to SCMP Economy. Analysts said Manila views drones as a relatively low cost way to make forces harder to locate, suppress, and outmaneuver rather than as a direct substitute for warships and aircraft.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr told lawmakers that the effort also depends on securing communications, artificial intelligence, and operational networks to integrate unmanned systems into military operations, SCMP Economy reported. Teodoro said the military already uses unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and that more platforms can follow as it matures its operations.
At a House appropriations committee hearing on the Department of National Defence’s proposed budget, Teodoro pointed to a 50 billion peso, or about US$810 million, allocation for military modernization in 2027, a 25% increase from this year’s budget, SCMP Economy said. He added that acquiring drones is not the main hurdle, with greater sensitivity around what they can carry and the capabilities enabled by secure, real time connectivity.
Teodoro also emphasized the need for connectivity and the security of that connectivity, SCMP Economy reported. He said the Philippines is in close contact with several countries with drone expertise as it develops the program.