US boosts funding for AFP modernization after Hegseth-Teodoro talks
MANILA, Philippines — The United States will increase funding for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), following talks between US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Cebu on Wednesday.
The US Department of War did not disclose the amount of additional funding or specify which AFP modernization projects would benefit.
“Secretary Hegseth announced an increase in the Department of War’s security cooperation funds to accelerate the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and enhance interoperability along the First Island Chain,” the department said in a readout of the meeting.
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The First Island Chain is a strategic chain of islands stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines.
Hegseth and Teodoro also agreed to launch an initiative to modernize command-and-control systems used to coordinate operations between the two countries’ armed forces.
“They agreed to launch an alliance command and control modernization sprint to enhance real-time bilateral coordination and strengthen alliance resilience,” the readout said.
The department did not provide further details on the initiative or when it would begin.
READ: US seeks new defense cooperation deal with Asean
The two defense chiefs also discussed progress in implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), particularly investments in critical infrastructure and storage facilities at designated military sites across the Philippines.
Signed in 2014, EDCA allows US forces rotational access to agreed Philippine military facilities and permits the construction and improvement of infrastructure at these locations.
The Philippines has nine EDCA sites, including four additional locations identified in 2023.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asean defense meetings in Cebu, as Manila seeks to strengthen its military capabilities amid continuing tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea. /dl
