Photo of 1st HDP-2200 OPV for the🇵🇭Philippine Navy, launched recently by 🇰🇷HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Formal Launching Ceremony expected to be announced soon by DND and PN. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense Philippines.

🇯🇵Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is in Manila for a 2-day official visit, meeting 🇵🇭Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Both agreed to start negotiations for a new defense agreement called the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ASCA) and defense intelligence sharing. 📷Reuters

🇵🇭Philippine Navy's Acero-class fast indiction craft BRP Albert Majini (PG-909) conducted Missile Exercise on 28 April 2025, firing 2 rounds of 🇮🇱Spike NLOS missile to a target 24km away. Swarm Exercise also conducted with BRP Tomas Campo (PG-908). 📽 Philippine Navy

🇺🇲Lockheed Martin released a new graphic illustration of their F-16C Blk70 Viper in 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force colors, while also rmade statements on F-16 strengths vs other options. Strong emphasis was made on seamless integration with PAF's 🇰🇷KAI FA-50 which LM co-developed. 📷LM

Despite a Limited Source Tender still ongoing, the state-owned Philippine News Agency reported that 🇫🇷French shipbuilder OCEA was given the Notice of Award to supply 40 fast patrol boats to the 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard worth ~Php25b. Project is financed by French ODA loans. 📷OCEA 1/4

The 🇵🇭Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that the Philippine Navy's retired patrol vessel ex-BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) will be used as naval target for the Maritime Strike Exercises as part Exercise BALIKATAN 40-2025.

🇨🇳Chinese carrier Shandong (17) and a Type 0815A electronic surviellance ship were seen INSIDE 🇵🇭Philippine territorial waters off Babuyan Islands, photograohed by AFP ISR assets. China cannot use Innocent Passage since they can freely use international waters in their movement. 📷AFP

The 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard received its 5th BN-2 Islander aircraft w/ t/n 829, this one donated by Fliteline Airways. Important addition as China consistently breach PH territorial & EEZ waters. So far PCG has 4 other Islanders w/ t/n 251, 684, 2169 & 829. 📷planespotter_excelsior @ IG

🇵🇭Philippine Air Force inducts a new Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft on 24 April 2025. While this is the 4th of such type in PAF service, this was purchased by PAF & not from US Military Assistance and has no ISR equipment, but will serve in transport/utility role. 📷PAF

Indian press reports that 🇮🇳Brahmos Aerospace already shipped the 2nd Brahmos Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Battery for the 🇵🇭Philippine Marine Corps. No further details on date and specifics probably for OPSEC reasons. 📷Indian MOD

Evidence that the 🇵🇭Philippine Navy also has the 🇺🇲MANTAC Devil Ray T24 unmanned surface vessel (USV) aside from the smaller T12 that was previously confirmed. Photos taken during Philippine Fleet 87th Anniversary earlier this week. 📷MaxDefense PH

🇮🇹Fincantieri announced that it is leading a team with 🇩🇪Germany's TKMS to offer the U212 NFS submarine to the 🇵🇭Philippine Navy, with 2 subs + submarine basing infra + guaranteed support from Italian Navy on training, doctrines & logistics. www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...

The 🇺🇲US DSCA announced the potential FMS of TH-72A Thrasher training helicopters for the 🇵🇭Philippines, with expected worth of US$120m. No quantity provided but we estimate between 18-20 units plus ILS as listed in DSCA announcement. 📷USN, DSCA

The 🇵🇭Philippine Navy will be procuring new flight simulators foe the Naval Air Wing, with Manila Aerospace Inc selected to supply probably 🇺🇲Redbird flight simulator systens. More here: www.phdefresource.com/2025/03/ac-p...

🇵🇭Philippine Army and Air Force simulate sling loading of artillery piece using S-70i Black Hawk helicopter. This is a new capability due to lack of powerful helicopters in the past. Late as it may be, at least its now something that can be done. 📽9th FAB, PA AAR

RIP Iceman.

Out of the US$5.58 billion package offered by the US to the Philippines for F-16 Blk 70/72 Viper fighters, we estimate that $500 million or more will just be for the 114 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and 40 AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, based on recent sales of such missiles. 📷USAF

We summarized the difference between the 🇺🇲US FMS package for F-16 Viper fighter aircraft to the 🇵🇭Philippines that was made in June 2021 and the new one from April 2025. This is based on DSCA's published statement. This may justify the somehow hgh average cost per aircraft.

🇺🇲US DSCA announces proposed sale to the 🇵🇭Philippines of 20 F-16C/D Blk 70/72 Viper fighter aircraft, large munition, spares, & support package for US$5.58 billion. This is 1/2 of the planned nunber of new fighters the Philippines is planning in the next few years. 📷TWZ 1/x

The frigate Miguel Malvar (06) left HD HHI's shipyard in 🇰🇷Ulsan, South Korea and has set sail for its delivery trip to the 🇵🇭Philippines earlier today 31 March 2025. Arrival ceremonies are scheduled on 08 April 2025. 📷GunBung Lee

As part of its discussions with the 🇵🇭Philippines, 🇺🇲US Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth confirmed that the US will deploy the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Unmanned Usrface Vessels to the Philippines, as part of efforts to increass deterence.

🇵🇭Philippine Navy, 🇺🇲US Navy and 🇯🇵Japan Maritime Self Defense Force conducted Maritime Cooperative Activty in the 🇵🇭West Philippine Sea on 28 March 2025. 🇨🇳Chinese PLAN ship lurking but was sent away after radio challenge from BRP Jose Rizal. 📷Philippine Navy

More photos from the launch of second Miguel Malvar-class frigate future BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) earlier today 27 March 2025 in Ulsan, South Korea. 📷Newswatch Plus PH

The Miguel Malvar-class frigate bound for the 🇵🇭Philippine Navy, the future BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) is ready for its Launching Ceremony in 🇰🇷 HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' naval yard in Ulsan, South Korea. 📷Gun-bung Lee

The 🇵🇭Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command just receive several CS/LR13 .50cal anti-materiel rifles. These are 🇨🇳Chinese made by NORINCO. Sources said they were not purchases by AFP, and most likely were donated. So who donated Chinese rifles to the AFP? 📷CTTO

The 🇵🇭AFP Western Command celebrated its 49th anniversary including accepting new equipment. Among those were 🇺🇲McMillan Firearms TAC-50 .50cal anti-materiel rifles. Sources said they were acquired through a local supplier and not from US FMS or grants. 📷 Romeo Luzeres

Stumbled this info while doing reseach, it appears that the 🇵🇭Philippine National Police Special Action Force purchased 200 units of 🇹🇷Turkish-made MKEK KNT-76 marksman 7.62mm rifles in 2017, winning against a bid from Germany's Heckler & Koch. Deliveries were made in mid 2018.

Aside from Philippine Navy FOIC VAdm. Ezpeleta, the Chief of Staff of the 🇵🇭Armed Foeces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr is also in South Korea and met his counterpart 🇰🇷ROK Joint Chief of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-soo to discuss security issues in the... 📷Yonhap News 1/2

The🇵🇭 Philippine Navy's Chief, Vice Adm. Jose Maria Ezpeleta is in South Korea & met his counterpart from the 🇰🇷Republic of Korea Navy Adm.Yang Yo-mo on 25 March 2025. The meeting was part of increased ties and cooperation between the Philippine and... 📷GunBung Lee 1/3

The Philippine Army & US Army Pacific kicked-off Joint Exercise SABAK (Salaknib and Balikatan Exercises) 2025 w/ ceremony in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on 24 March 2025. Phase 1 will take place in different locations until 11 April, while Phase 2 is set for 19 May to 20 July.

The 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force indirectly confirmed through a public service announcement that their grounded FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light fighters are back in the air. This was after one of the aircraft fatally crashed earlier this month. 📷Philippine Air Force.

Reports surfacing that the 🇺🇲US Indo-Pacific Command's plan to deploy a 2nd Typhon MRC battery might be in 🇵🇭Philippines. So far no definite indication as it could potentially end up elsewhere including 🇯🇵Japan. But AFP is welcome to a 2nd Typhon battery in PH.

🇵🇭Philippine Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro confirmed that the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with 🇳🇿New Zealand will be signed this April 2025. This will bolster defense ties between both countries and allow AFP & NZDF to conduct exercise in each other's country.

🇺🇲US startup Valar Aromics will build a 100kw micro nuclear gas cooled reactor in 🇵🇭Philippines as a proof of concept in cooperation with Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. It is proposed to use the green tech as PH faces increased power needs while need to lower power costs. 📷GMA, Valar Atomics

The 🇵🇭Philippine Navy's new upcoming frigate, the first in class (future) BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06) is scheduled to sail for its delivery trip from HD HHI's yard in 🇰🇷Ulsan, South Korea to the Philippines. 📷BRP Miguel Malvar's FB page. 1/x

🇺🇲US Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the 🇵🇭Philippines on 28-29 March 2025 as part of a wider trip to the Indo-Pacific and meeting his counterpart Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 1/x

Despite just procuring new 🇪🇸Rheinmetall Expal Systems MX-2 KM 81mm mortars, the 🇵🇭Philippine Marine Corps held public bidding for a few more with 🇹🇷Turkiye's TG Defense winning with their 81-PTH1 81mm mortar. www.phdefresource.com/2025/03/weap...

🇦🇺Australia just marked its largest arms export to date with the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) system sold to 🇨🇦Canada under a CAN$6 billion deal. 3,000km detection range on maritime and air targets to monitor Canada's Arctic region as part of Canadian NORAD upgrade.

The 🇮🇹Italian Navy's Bergamini-class (FREMM) frigate ITS Marceglia (F597) was in 🇵🇭Manila from 17 March 2025 as part of a scheduled visit. The Philippine Navy is asking Italy to assist in building up its anti-submarine, anti-air, and electronic warfare capabilities. 📷PN

🇵🇭Filipino vehicle armoring company Armored Panda Industries brought over a 🇦🇪 Harrow Security Vehicles Tygor E2 4x4 armored vehicle. It still remains to be seen if the company intends to participate in supplying armored vehicles for PH armed forces and police forces. 📷Armored Panda Industries 1/x

The Sabrah light tanks supplied by 🇮🇱Elbit Systems and 🇪🇸GDELS Santa Barbara Sistemas are debuting in live fire exercise as part of ongoing 🇵🇭Philippine Army Combined Arms Training Exercise (CAPEX) KATIHAN 2025. 📷 Ezra Acayan

🇹🇭Royal Thai Navy training contingent visited the 🇵🇭Philippines from 11 March 2025, with Chao Ohraya-class frigates HTMS Chao Phraya (FFG-455), HTMS Kraburi (FFG-457) and Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel HTMS HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (OPV-552) docking in Subic and meeting PN officials. 📷PN 1/2

Isn't that exactly what China is doing to the Philippines? Wang Yi is a big hypocrite Chinese communist bastard.

As expected, the 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force grounded its entire FA-50PH Fighting Eagle fleet as investigations are undereat to determine why FA-50PH t/n 002 crashed. This will affect air operations, with the subsonic AS-211 and A-29B temporarily covering the gap. 📷PAF 1/x

🇨🇳China looks wanting to fight an all out war with the 🇺🇲US. Later they'll deny this, typical lying communist Chinese bastards. So I'll keep this here for reference.

The 🇵🇭Armed Forces of the Philippines successfully conducted a Resupply Mission to BRP Sierra Madre in 🇵🇭Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) yesterday 04 March 2025. Reportedly no 🇨🇳Chinese illegal interference or harassment encountered. 📷 Armed Forces of the Philippines

The 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force confirmed that they found the missing FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light fighter in Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon province, with both pilots unable to eject and found dead. Taps to the fallen pilots. 📷 for reference only 1/x

BREAKING: The 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force confirmed one of its FA-50PH Fighting Eagle fighter is missing since early morning 04 March 2025 during Tactical Nights Ops. No mention on which aircraft and location. Photo for reference only, not actual aircraft. More details soon.

Looks like the 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force is preparing to start the rehabilitation & reactivation of its remaining C-130B with t/n 3633. It has been sitting in Benito Ebuen Airbase for years w/o its propellers, awaiting if its goes to the scrap or not. 📷 Ron Mak @ Plane Spotters PH