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The Philippines plans to expand its military drone capabilities through both development and acquisition as part of a broader modernization drive focused increasingly on external security, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday.
Speaking at a budget hearing in the lower house of Congress, Teodoro said the U.S. defense ally also plans to acquire additional guided-missile corvettes and other major defense assets to strengthen its external defense capabilities.
The Philippines has shifted its security focus from internal threats toward external defense as tensions with Beijing increase in the South China Sea. Confrontations over disputed features within Manila's exclusive economic zone have become more frequent in recent years.
The Philippine armed forces currently operate unmanned aerial vehicles used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, Teodoro said.
"As we mature on the cycle, then we can acquire more," he told lawmakers.
The planned drone expansion forms part of a proposed 50 billion peso ($810.4 million) allocation for the country's military modernization program in 2027, 25% higher than the current budget.
Teodoro is seeking a 6.3% increase in the Defense Department's overall budget for 2027 from the 305.5 billion pesos approved for this year.
He said acquiring additional drones was only part of the effort, with the military also prioritizing the systems, connectivity and operational expertise needed to use them effectively.
"More than the personnel, it is the integration into the operation, what do you do with them and how do you use them," Teodoro said.
He added that developing secure communications and network capabilities was crucial.
Teodoro declined to identify specific drone systems being considered, saying the information was classified and highly sensitive.
"They are very, very sensitive to compromise, particularly with AI," he said.
The Philippines is in close contact with several countries that have expertise in drone technology, Teodoro added.
Ukraine's ambassador to the Philippines, Yuliia Fediv, told Reuters in June that Kyiv had been discussing possible cooperation with Manila on drone technology.
Also in June, the U.S. said it had provided the Philippine military with four solar-powered sea drones to strengthen maritime surveillance.
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