Philippine Defense Today (Adroth.ph)
In Defense of the Republic of the PhilippinesAuthor Archives: adroth92
A sustainable, whole-nation, “Kobayashi Maru” solution to China’s aggression
Saturday , 1, December 2018 geopolitics Leave a commentTweetThis thesis (originally posted on the Defense of the Republic of the Philippines forum on August 3, 2018) attempts to answer the hotly debated question: “What is happening to Philippine policy with China and the West Philippine Sea???” While the defense of the Republic of the Philippines is the focal point for this thesis, there […]
The DND’s P25B “credit card” for the AFP Modernization Program
Monday , 8, January 2018 AFP modernization Leave a commentTweetThe Department of Budget & Management released the official AFP Modernization Budget for 2018: P25B. This represents a fraction of the total DND budget of P149.7B — which includes everything from salaries, to veterans pension payments, to operational expenses that keep aircraft flying, ships sailing, and guns firing. When evaluating whether or not the P25B […]
2017: What’s happening with the AFP modernization?
Saturday , 23, December 2017 AFP modernization Leave a commentTweetWhile this is the first full year of the Duterte administration, many of the projects completed this year actually had their genesis in either the Arroyo or Aquino administrations. Among the capabilities that the AFP acquired this year are: Additional supersonic assets Continued increase in cargo transport capability, both by air and sea Situational awareness assets […]
2016: What’s happening with the AFP Modernization
Sunday , 1, January 2017 AFP modernization Leave a commentTweetThe year 2016 delivered the last of the Aquino administration’s contributions to the AFP modernization effort. While many had their genesis during the Arroyo administration, credit for continuation and eventual completion of these projects can — within reason — be attributed to BSA III. As with 2015, this year continued the trend towards high-value, capability-leap-frogging, acquisitions for […]
AFP was a user of Chinese equipment long before Duterte
Monday , 19, September 2016 AFP modernization, Air Force, Army, Philippine Navy Leave a commentTweetThe 48th anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, on the 13th of September, 2016, gave President Duterte’s critics yet another treasure-trove of “Duterteisms” that have since become fodder for punditry on defense social media and even generated international interest in Philippine foreign policy. In this latest episode, Duterte stated, among other controversial assertions, his […]
Why 5.56mm sniping rifles for the AFP?
Saturday , 10, September 2016 Army, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy Leave a commentTweetOn August 21, 2006 the Timawa forum saw a discussion between a Philippine Marine Colonel (MBLT6) and a Singaporean Army Major (Shingen) about sniper rifles an engagement distances in the the Philippine setting. The end result was a glowing response from Shingen as follows: This is one of the best post, or not the best […]
How are “special units” in the AFP different from each other?
Saturday , 10, September 2016 Army, Philippine Navy Leave a commentTweetAt one point or another, military enthusiasts ask this question. Typically in relation to discussions that dwell on the ascendancy of one special unit versus another. “Who is more elite?” When faced with such queries, professional often point out there each special unit is trained for a specific task and require individuals suited for such tasks. […]
Modernization projects don’t die. They just get re-labelled
Friday , 5, August 2016 Philippine Navy Leave a commentTweetIn the twilight of the Arroyo administration, the AFP was poised to embark upon its most ambitious, most expensive project in AFP history. What would become the largest naval vessel ever to join the fleet the Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) project. As per PN sources, it was supposed to have consisted of one South Korean-built LPD […]
What is the FA-50PH really for?
Saturday , 16, July 2016 FA-50, Philippine Air Force Leave a commentTweetThe Korean Aerospace Industries FA-50PH is the single most sophisticated aircraft in the Philippine Air Force inventory. The arrival of the first two aircraft on November 28, 2015 heralded the formal start of the service’s efforts to rebuild it’s air defense operations capability. These two “Fighting Eagles”, as South Korea calls them, were the first of […]
Could self-reliance save AFP modernization under Duterte?
Wednesday , 22, June 2016 AFP modernization, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Leave a commentTweetThe Aquino administration’s Presidential candidate, Mar Roxas, had campaigned on a promise of continuing with the courses of action of the outgoing administration and represented continuity of an AFP Modernization Program that achieved gains hitherto unseen: Aquino administration Arroyo administration Ramos administration 2015 2014 2013 2012 2007 to 2011 2003 to 2006 The Plan: […]