PH, South Korea discuss corvettes, light fighter jet upgrades

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and South Korea started discussions on the Philippine Navy’s corvette acquisition program and upgrades to the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 light fighters at a recent online conference on bilateral defense logistics cooperation.

The 23rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation between the Philippines and Republic of Korea was held last Dec. 9, the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec. 16).

The JCM intends to uphold mutual interests of the Philippines and South Korea in the areas of logistics and defense industries.

Some South Korean defense contractors have supplied military equipment to the Philippines in recent years. Hyundai Heavy Industries built two frigates for the Philippine Navy at P16 billion. The PAF’s 12 FA-50 light fighters were previously procured from Korea Aerospace Industries for P18.9 billion.

The DND has yet to announce the chosen shipbuilder for the Philippine Navy’s future corvettes, but South Korea’s HHI is considered as one of the potential suppliers.

The Philippine delegation at the JCM was headed by Jesus Rey Avila, assistant defense secretary for logistics, acquisitions and self-reliant defense posture, while the South Korean delegation was led by Vice Minister Seo Hyeung-Jin of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

Other issues discussed during the conference included South Korea’s security policy on defense science and technology.

Capt. Armil Angeles was also recognized for his “invaluable contributions” to the defense acquisition system, the AFP modernization program and to the JCMs conducted during his tenure as Philippine military attache in South Korea.

TSB