Philippine Military Initiates New Defense Strategy Test
In Manila, Philippines, a fresh defense strategy is set to be evaluated by the Philippine military, led by a newly established command. This initiative is part of the country’s preparation to fend off potential invaders independently, without immediate support from allied forces.
This strategic maneuver unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions due to China’s assertive moves in the West Philippine Sea and other regional issues concerning Taiwan.
“We are examining every conceivable scenario and integrating them into our drills to ensure we’re ready for any possible situation,” stated Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the Philippine military’s Chief of Staff, at the exercise’s inauguration on November 4.
Comprehensive Annual Military Drills
The yearly military exercise, dubbed the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa (AJEX DAGIT-PA), encompasses a variety of training activities. These include integrated air and missile defense operations, protection of gas and oil infrastructures, land defense, and amphibious maneuvers designed to reclaim islands, airfields, and ports.
According to Defense News, military planners and strategists have thoroughly analyzed hundreds of conflict scenarios, such as potential missile strikes. These analyses have shaped a training regimen aimed at evaluating troop responses and identifying defensive shortcomings.
The drills will be conducted along the northern and western borders of the country as in previous years.
Part of the exercise will take place on Thitu Island or Pag-asa Island, a Philippine-held territory in the South China Sea with a population of around 400 Filipinos. Military experts and officials point to Thitu as a probable initial target in any invasion scenario.
On Thitu Island, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have previously carried out special operations and civilian defense training. This year’s schedule includes naval surface fire support drills, though the military has not confirmed whether these will be part of amphibious landing exercises.
This year’s drill will see a reduced troop participation of 2,000, a decrease from the 3,000 involved last year. However, the shortfall will be compensated by the inclusion of the military reserve forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police, explained Brawner.
The training will also cover modern warfare aspects such as cyber, electronic, and space-related warfare.
“These drills are more than just simulations,” Brawner emphasized. “They are strategic rehearsals for actual combat situations, testing our operational concepts… and the new unilateral defense strategy will also be evaluated,” he added.
Shifting Focus to External Defense
Since 2023, the Philippine military has officially redirected its focus towards external defense. Last year, it unveiled a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) to guide its defense strategies. However, details on how this concept will be operationalized remain limited, given the military’s constrained resources and capabilities.
Last year, the AFP announced a new “unilateral defense plan” named Bantay Kalayaan, which was initially tested during the previous AJEX DAGIT-PA training session.
This year’s exercises are built on the insights gained from last year, featuring a more streamlined command-and-control unit dedicated solely to territorial defense. This adjustment marks a significant shift to accommodate the broadening defense focus.
In late October, the AFP established its Strategic Command, the primary unit involved in the ongoing exercises. This unit will oversee areas beyond the reach of joint command units, including exclusive economic zones, territories in the South China Sea, and the airspace.
Gen. Brawner suggested that the AFP Strategic Command might become the main commanding unit for the forces in wartime scenarios.
“The General Headquarters’ battle staff is not equipped to transform into a comprehensive battle staff for wartime,” Brawner explained. “That’s why we were convinced of the need to organize an AFP Strategic Command… and we expedited its establishment to ensure its primary role in this exercise,” he stated.
While the Philippines has participated in numerous joint military exercises with allies, this internal military drill is vital for strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities, as Filipino troops will initially be “fighting the war by ourselves,” according to Brawner.
Brawner noted that in the event of a conflict, the Filipino forces must sustain their defense for at least a month until potential reinforcements from allies can arrive.
“This exercise is crucial for us to understand the limits of our defense architecture. If war breaks out, we must be the first to defend ourselves,” he said, acknowledging that support from allies under mutual defense treaties is also anticipated.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
