The Philippine Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NSSC) has said that Yard Tug YT271, “one of the most reliable floating assets of the Naval Shipyard made its presence felt once again as it kicked off its first tug assistance on 15 July to BRP Bagobo (LC293).” NSSC said that the activity transpired following the tugboat’s […]Read More

Units from Presidential Security Group (PSG), Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force (PAF) participated in a Presidential/VIP Security Operations simulation exercise utilizing the BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS25) on July 8. The Presidential/VIP Security Operations simulation exercise utilizing BRP Ang Pangulo comprised of Presidential/VIP Sealift Operations, Presidential/VIP Airlift Operations and VIP Waterborne Security Operations “as part […]Read More

United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands in South China Sea on July 12, the United States Navy 7th Fleet. July 12 marked the fifth anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on the South China Sea. “Unlawful and sweeping […]Read More

The Philippine Navy, through its Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), welcomed the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Training Squadron composed of JS Kashima (TV 3508) and JS Setoyuki (TV 3518) at Sasa Wharf, Davao City for their port visit and reprovisioning. The visit started on July 9 and ended on July 11, 2021. “The Command […]Read More

United States (US) Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has reaffirmed that “an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.” Secretary Blinken made the statement on the fifth anniversary of the […]Read More

Armtrac, an explosive ordnance disposal company based in Cambridgeshire in Eastern England, has announced that it was awarded contract to supply 4 Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD) to the Philippine Army. “Following an MOU and Special Implementing Arrangement (SIA) signed at Government level, the Bid was awarded on 5 January 2021 and contract signed in […]Read More

French shipbuilder OCEA, the builder of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), has expressed its intention to establish a shipyard in the Philippines. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), OCEA pledged ₱1.5 billion in investments for a shipyard project in the Philippines that may potentially create […]Read More

“I made friends with China, but I never abandoned our relationship with America. Wala naman akong sinabing masakit sa kanila,” President Rodrigo Duterte said during his meeting with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) executives and other government officials on July 7. “The Filipinos must realize na ang Amerikano nandito not because they want to […]Read More

“Gripen guarantees the ability of the Philippines to cooperate with its friends while always protecting its national interests,” Swedish aerospace and defence company SAAB said in its brochure available in its online booth at Philippine Air Force (PAF) Symposium 2021 website. SAAB is offering the Gripen for PAF’s Multi-Role Fighter Acquisition Project. “As a national […]Read More

The United States (US) State Department has approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to Philippines of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $42.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of the possible sale on June 24. “The Government […]Read More