The Philippine Navy’s modernization: Wins, losses, challenges

MANILA, Philippines — When did the push to modernize the Philippine military begin, and why has it lagged behind its counterparts in the region?

In a series of stories and explainers, Rappler revisits the setbacks, gains, and challenges that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Navy, in particular, face as the Philippines pushes forward with a modernization geared toward territorial defense.

Rappler explores how the Philippines, long beset by problems in the budgeting and acquisition of much-needed upgrades, can ensure that its Navy, among the frontline units in defending the archipelago, is prepared to do its job.

• No alibis: Retooling and modernizing the Marines
• Presence is deterrence: The Philippine Navy’s pivot
• Retrain, retool: How the Philippine Marines are preparing for territorial defense
• What PH navy needs: A shift to asymmetric warfare planning
• FAST FACTS: Big ticket items in the Philippine Navy’s modernization
• TIMELINE: Joint maritime drills, exercises in Philippine waters, EEZ since 2023

– Rappler.com

This series was made possible through the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines. Editorial direction and oversight remained solely with Rappler.