The Department of National Defense supports the Statement of Principles for Indo-Pacific Defense Industrial Base Collaboration, which is an outcome of extensive consultations among partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, including the Maluhia Talks held from April 30-May 2 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Philippines is confronted with multiple security challenges ranging from traditional to the non-traditional, including unconventional actors who employ a full spectrum of tactics. In addressing such, the Philippine government acquired defense assets to secure national interests and to protect our people. Alongside this endeavor is the sustainment of defense equipment. Hence, it is imperative for us to collaborate with like-minded nations to optimize an expanded and resilient supply chain across the region. This endeavor will ensure a shared defense resilience that is vital to regional security, economic security, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

Our country embarks on ways to enable and develop the Philippines’ defense capability through the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program wherein co-production, co-development, and licensed production opportunities will be possible for components in larger systems that will involve local industries in defense infrastructure and production and manufacturing of advanced weapon systems. Likewise, co-sustainment shall be pursued through regional maintenance, repair, and overhaul and upgrade activities.

In addition to these, Research and Development (R&D) shall pave the way for collaboration for the advancement of science and technology in developing critical technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum biotechnology, and semi-conductors.

Overall there should be a continuous dialogue with our partner countries that will promote opportunities to have exchanges of expertise, best practices, lessons learned and training for upskills and reskills to meet the continuing demands of sustaining and upgrading our defense weapon systems.