Czech Republic vows to help boost PH’s defense capability

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala (L) and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (R). | PHOTO: Offciial Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos

PRAGUE — The Czech Republic has expressed its readiness to help the Philippines beef up its defense and security measures by supplying equipment and technology transfers required in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala gave the assurance in a bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday afternoon, hours after Czech President Petr Pavel also gave a similar commitment to Marcos.

In turn, the President invited Czech defense firms to submit proposals and take part in the Philippines’ improvement of its defense capability.

“The Philippines is a regional partner in the field of defense and cooperation,” Fiala told the President, adding that his country is “very interested to help with the modernization of military equipment.”

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He added that his country, in helping the Philippines bolster its defense and security equipment, is “ready to supply technologies needed to build resources in the future.”

In response, Marcos said he appreciated Fiala’s assurance of assistance in the AFP’s modernization program, which involves the acquisition of more ships, aircraft and radar systems to focus on improving the country’s archipelagic defense capabilities.

This is under the Re-Horizon Phase 3 of the Revised AFP Modernization Program on the procurement of defense equipment and arms and the training of the military.

“We invite the Czech defense companies and defense industry for them to submit proposals, and to once again to participate in the, to supply the Philippines’ future defense capability requirement,” the President said.

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Marcos added: “The Czech Republic has always been active as a source of equipment from the Philippines. So we come again to the Czech Republic and offer the, the partnership with the Czech Republic and the Philippines.”

He stressed that the Philippines has always encouraged “technology transfer investments and other innovative arrangements of co-production joint ventures.”

“The Czech Republic’s participation in the AFP’s modernization program will not only enhance its capacity and capability, but will also serve as an important part of strengthening the relations between the Philippines and the Czech Republic,” the President added.