The Philippines is preparing to expand its military drone capabilities as Manila accelerates efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and strengthen the country’s ability to defend its territory and maritime interests.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told lawmakers on August 25 that the Philippines plans to develop and acquire additional unmanned systems as part of a broader military modernization program.
The move comes as the Philippines faces increasingly complex security challenges in the South China Sea, where confrontations involving Chinese vessels and Philippine forces have become more frequent.
Teodoro said the AFP already operates unmanned aerial vehicles primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The government now wants to expand those capabilities and build the systems, communications networks and operational expertise needed to use drones more effectively.
The specific drone platforms being considered have not been publicly identified because the details are classified.
Bigger Defense Budget Could Accelerate Drone Expansion
The proposed modernization push is backed by a significant increase in funding.
According to Reuters, the Philippines is seeking about ₱50 billion ($810 million) for its military modernization program in 2027, approximately 25% higher than the current allocation. The Department of National Defense is also seeking a 6.3% increase in its overall 2027 budget, from the ₱305.5 billion spending plan approved for 2026.
Drones are expected to form part of that broader modernization effort alongside other major defense assets, including planned acquisitions of guided-missile corvettes.
But officials are emphasizing that simply buying drones is not enough.
Teodoro told lawmakers that the Philippines needs to develop the ability to integrate unmanned systems into military operations, including secure communications and network infrastructure.
That means the country’s drone strategy is increasingly focused not only on the aircraft themselves, but also on how they can connect with commanders, surveillance systems and other military assets.
AFP Is Already Testing Locally Developed Drone Systems
The latest announcement follows a separate development within the Philippine military.
Earlier in August, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete confirmed that portions of the military’s own drone development program had entered the testing phase.
The AFP has been conducting research and development involving its major military services, with plans to eventually integrate the different unmanned systems into a more unified capability. Officials have not disclosed the specific specifications or intended operational roles of the systems being tested.
The Philippine Army has also been working to integrate drone technology into its force structure as the military shifts greater attention toward external defense.
Army drones are already being used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while the service has been exploring how unmanned systems can support operations covering the country’s territory and its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Ukraine and the United States Are Part of the Bigger Picture
The Philippines’ growing interest in drones reflects a wider transformation in modern warfare.
The extensive use of relatively inexpensive unmanned systems in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war has demonstrated how drones can be used for surveillance, targeting, reconnaissance and other battlefield missions.
The Philippines has also been discussing potential cooperation with countries that have developed advanced drone expertise.
Reuters reported that Ukraine has held discussions with Manila about possible cooperation involving drone technology. The United States, meanwhile, provided the Philippine military with four solar-powered maritime drones in June to strengthen maritime surveillance.
The Philippines and the United States have also incorporated unmanned systems into joint military exercises.
During the 2026 Balikatan exercises, Philippine and U.S. forces trained with drones and counter-drone systems, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned technology in modern military operations.
Why Drones Matter to the Philippines
For an archipelagic country with thousands of islands and a vast maritime area to monitor, unmanned systems can provide another layer of surveillance and situational awareness.
Drones can potentially help military forces monitor remote areas, gather intelligence and maintain awareness over areas that are difficult or expensive to patrol continuously with manned aircraft or ships.
That capability is particularly relevant to the Philippines’ maritime security concerns.
The AFP has already been expanding its use of different surveillance technologies. Philippine officials said earlier this year that the military uses land-, sea-, air- and space-based sensors to improve maritime domain awareness around strategically important areas such as the Malampaya gas field.
The Bigger Shift Is Beyond Drones
The drone announcement is part of a much broader transformation of Philippine defense policy.
The AFP has increasingly shifted its focus from primarily addressing internal security threats toward strengthening external defense, maritime awareness, territorial defense and interoperability with allies.
That modernization includes additional maritime assets, air capabilities, command-and-control systems, cybersecurity infrastructure and longer-range capabilities.
The Philippines has also secured the acquisition of 12 South Korean-made FA-50 Block 70 fighter aircraft, with the first deliveries expected in 2028, as part of the AFP’s Re-Horizon 3 modernization program.
Taken together, these developments suggest that Manila is building a more networked military in which drones, aircraft, ships, sensors and communications systems can operate as part of a connected defense architecture.
What Happens Next?
For now, the most important details remain undisclosed.
Teodoro has declined to identify the specific drone systems under consideration, citing the sensitivity of the technology and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and secure military capabilities.
That leaves a major question hanging over the Philippines’ modernization push:
How far will Manila take its drone program—and will the next generation of Philippine unmanned systems move beyond surveillance into a much broader role in external defense?
For a country facing growing pressure to protect its territory and maritime interests, the answer could become one of the most consequential parts of the Philippines’ military modernization program.
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