Philippines: Defense Spending To Be Accelerated

The Philippines launched a new defense acquisition system to accelerate the approval and purchase of 138 procurement projects valued at $1.6 billion by the end of July, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said, DPA reported Jan. 27. Air force and navy hardware are a priority with long-range patrol aircraft, F-16 fighter jets and multi-role naval vessels among the items to be purchased. Gazmin said most contracts would be government-to-government, adding that Manila is focused on addressing regional security concerns with its neighbors.