MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and Israel are currently drafting an agreement on defense cooperation, an added boost to their close security ties.
Negotiations for the “broad-ranging” memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation were among the topics discussed during a visit by newly-appointed Israel ambassador Ilan Fluss to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at Camp Aguinaldo last Oct. 29, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Monday (Nov. 1).
“The said agreement will be the primary framework of both countries with regard to defense and military cooperation and both defense establishments are currently working on the draft,” the DND said.
No timeline has been immediately provided on the conclusion of the MOU.
Israel has been supplying the Philippines with various sophisticated weapons systems, armored vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles in the last few years. The Philippines also ordered nine fast patrol boats from Israel early this year.
Israel defense attaché to the Philippines Raz Roy Shabtay visited Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan in October to inspect facilities that would house the air defense surveillance radars procured from Israel.
The Philippines and Israel have also been working together on counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing. Both countries are facing terrorism threats from Islamic State-linked groups.
Fluss, during the meeting with Lorenzana, batted for the continued procurement of equipment from Israel to further improve the Philippine military’s capability, the DND said.
The officials also discussed other aspects of Philippines-Israel defense and military ties, status of defense procurement deals, COVID-19 pandemic response, and common security issues.
The two countries are set to hold the Philippines-Israel Joint Committee Meeting in Israel in December.