The Philippine military is developing and testing drone systems as part of a broader modernization effort, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete confirmed during his confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Nafarrete disclosed the program in response to questions from Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who asked whether the AFP had a concrete plan to build unmanned systems for defense against possible external aggression. The general said that the military’s major services are already conducting research and development on how drones can be deployed and eventually folded into the country’s broader defense network.
“Our modernization, really, we need to upgrade our capabilities, especially on our unmanned systems, our communications, our joint command and control for us to tend and improve our maritime domain awareness,” Nafarrete said.
The AFP has not disclosed the types of drones under development, their technical specifications, or whether they are intended for surveillance, reconnaissance, or combat operations. Nafarrete said the program will initially be run out of AFP General Headquarters before expanding to the Army, Navy, and Air Force as research, production, and operational capabilities mature.
Lacson pointed to Ukraine’s use of relatively low-cost drones against Russian forces as a reference point, noting that unmanned systems have given Kyiv’s forces surveillance, battlefield targeting, and strike capabilities against a larger adversary. The senator said locally produced drones could give the Philippines an additional layer of defense given the country’s limited resources for acquiring long-range missile systems or warships.
“I don’t think we have the wherewithal to build big warships or acquire long-range missiles and the like. Do we have a program to develop drones against external aggression? At least we have a fighting chance even if we don’t have enough funds,” Lacson said.
The Philippines has already begun exploring defense cooperation with Ukraine on this front. A Philippine delegation led by Department of National Defense Undersecretary Salvador Mison met Ukrainian officials in Kyiv in July to discuss technology transfers, joint production, and cooperation on unmanned systems. The AFP has not said whether its drone program is modeled directly on Ukraine’s approach.
Lacson asked the AFP to submit its funding requirements and technical specifications for possible inclusion in the proposed 2027 national budget.
“Glad to hear that. If you have budgetary requirements, kindly inform us because the National Expenditure Program has been transmitted to Congress. So give us the requirements with some specifications and we will move to justify them in the budget. Also, the House members of the CA are here and we will support your program on drone development,” Lacson said.
He added that any additional funding would need to move through institutional amendments backed by programs that have undergone agency planning and technical evaluation.
The AFP is expected to submit its formal requirements as budget deliberations for 2027 proceed in Congress.
