At One of Asia’s Largest Defense Shows, a Call for the Philippines to Step Up Its Defense Self-Reliance

Kuala Lumpur: Defense and security personnel gathered here at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) earlier this month for the region’s largest defense and weaponry show. Defense Services Asia 2024 is a biennial event that brings together government officials, law enforcement agencies, professionals, and executives within the defense and security sectors. This year, over 1,300 companies from 60 countries around the world participated. 

Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this was the 18th edition of Defense Services Asia 

While there was no booth from the Philippines at DSA, there were Filipino attendees, including a delegation from Asia Defense and Firepower Corporation (ADFC), a Filipino company dedicated to supporting the nation’s long-term Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) policy. ADFC says it channels its efforts into modernizing local defense operations, spanning from materiel manufacturing to technology research and development.

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ADFC is one of the private companies pushing for the Philippine government to take steps to ensure the country’s defense self-reliance.

"Reviving the nation's self-reliant defense posture program and maximizing the capabilities of the defense industry is essential, particularly as security threats loom large and evolve rapidly," said ADFC President and CEO Jeruel Sanchez. 

Atmaca anti-ship missile from a Turkish company

Sanchez emphasized the urgent need for Congress to pass House Bill No. 9713, otherwise known as the Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program Act, which contains the State policy to promote and spur the growth of an independent national defense by establishing a self-reliant defense posture (SRDP) program that shall prioritize the development of the country’s national defense capabilities, including a competent domestic defense industry. The House version of the SRDP law prioritizes the “Filipino First” policy in developing the country’s national defense capabilities, including the creation of a dedicated Office of the Undersecretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development

The House passed HB 9713 on third and final reading in January 2024. 

There were several armored personnel carriers at the exhibition

“The bill provides that the concept of self-reliance shall be manifested in the continued preference on local production of materiel, when feasible, for the country’s defense forces through the partnership between the military and civilian establishments,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said in a statement after the bill was passed.

The bill also provides that importation will only be undertaken when requirements cannot be locally produced. 

“The bill essentially provides for government support to the technical and financial needs of civilian manufacturers of materiel,” Romualdez added. “The aim is to develop the defense capability of the country and rationalize defense acquisition.” 

Visitors check out the many booths under the USA pavilion

Other important provisions of the bill include a proposed law that allows in-country enterprises engaged or proposing to engage in the manufacture, servicing, and operation of materiel for the government to be registered with the Board of Investments and avail of incentives under the National Internal Revenue Code (Section 6) and the creation of the Office of the Undersecretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development that will will manage a databank for analysis, research, and development for defense industry promotion (Section 14).   

The bill also seeks to establish the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Trust Fund, which will come from savings generated from the annual net income of the government arsenal, shares of the government revenues from proceeds of reclamation projects determined by the President, grants and donations, and other sources as may be determined by the Department of National Defense.

A visitor tries out a shooting simulator

The SRDP bill is currently awaiting bicameral conference committee approval. Former Senate President Miguel Zubiri, who co-sponsored the Senate version of the SRDP law, said that while the Philippines values its defense cooperation with other foreign allies, the country cannot rely on them entirely.

“The over reliance on our allies leaves us on the back foot—always waiting, and always dependent on what they will supply us with,” Zubiri said.

Meanwhile, at DSA, exhibitors showed off the most advanced defense and communications products and technologies. There were dedicated booths not just of private companies but countries who wished to display their defense capabilities, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Turkey, Czech Republic, Iran, India, Pakistan, and many others. 

A Turkish attack helicopter

ASEAN neighbors like Singapore and Indonesia, and, of course, Malaysia, also impressed with their presence at DSA. Sanchez said that tiny Singapore, for instance, invested in homegrown defense capabilities amidst emerging threats in the region and has now emerged as a major defense exporter. Indonesia, meanwhile, now builds warships and navy vessels for other countries, including the Philippine Navy, which only serves to highlight the transformative potential of prioritizing domestic defense capability development in enhancing national security and economic resilience.

If anything, DSA 2024 only underscores the urgent need for the country to invest in its local capabilities so the Philippines can not only reach the level of our ASEAN neighbors, but more importantly, ensure the country’s own defense capabilities in the face of serious security threats in and around the region.