Sea Defense: The Philippines Will Prioritize Acquiring Two Submarines

Submarines have long been on the wishlist of the Philippines when it comes to creating a credible minimum defense posture in the West Philippine Sea. The presence of a Philippine submarine—preferably one that can sink destroyers and aircraft carriers with a single torpedo— in the waters west of the country poses significant deterrence to hostile vessels. 

Nearly all the littoral neighbors of the Philippines surrounding the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea have submarines, and it’s high time the Philippines owned a couple of subs, too. 

According to Defense Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino Jr., a wish list of the armed forces will be submitted to President Bongbong Marcos. On top of that list are two submarines for the Philippine Navy. 

“The list still needs the President’s approval. But it’s a priority right now,” Faustino said during his visit to Mati City in Davao Oriental on Friday, October 14, according to a Rappler report. 

France Expressed Its Intention to Help the Philippines Acquire Submarines

Back in September 2022, France expressed its willingness to help the Philippines acquire its very first submarines. 

During a high-level meeting between France and the Philippines on September 13, 2022, the European nation expressed its interest to help the Philippines in acquiring its very first fleet of subs. “France is obviously committed to work more closely with the Philippines and have a more strategic relations with the Philippines so, of course, we are ready,” French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said in a press briefing on Wednesday during its Naval Day Symposium.

In exchange, France wants to explore the Philippines’ waters in search of precious resources. 

But in an interview with Rappler, Faustino says the Philippines cannot just allow that. 

“It has to go through a constitutional process. We cannot just do that,” Faustino said.

Nevertheless, purchasing at least two submarines is the top priority for the Department of National Defense. 

According to Naval Group Vice President for India and Asia-Pacific Nicolas de la Villamarque, if the Philippines purchased submarines from France, it could take up to 10 years for the navy to train its personnel in navigating and operating the submarine. 

"It’s much more about what we can provide [as] a global partnership in terms of education, training, in terms of transfer of technology," de la Villamarque was quoted by PhilStar.