Retired Philippine Navy officer. Naval Projects Associate Consultant. Defense Writer focused on PH & IndoPacific. Editor - MaxDefense PH & PH Defense Resource
Australia
Joined April 2011
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This is to avoid conflict with existing ship with the same name commissioned with the Philippine Coast Guard, the BRP Ilocos Norte (SARV-3501).
🇵🇭🇮🇩 | Its confirmed that the @Philippine_Navy's 3rd 124-meter Landing Platform Dock will be renamed BRP Laoag City (LD-603). The BRP Laoag City (LD-603) LPD is currently in its final construction stage (fitting works). Its expected to be delivered to the Philippines by year-end.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has confirmed that there are plans to procure around 25,000 units of used M4 5.56mm rifles from US Excess Defense Articles stock, procured for the AFP Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) to equip reserve units and replace older M16 and M14 rifles.
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Lockheed Martin confirmed that a contract was awarded to them to deliver S-70i Black Hawk simulator system to the 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force.
Said simulator is claimed to be most advanced and realistic of its type.
📽Lockheed Martin
The 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force is looking to replace its small fleet of Hermes 450 medium altitude long endurance UAS with a larger, combat-capable UAS. Won't be sourced from Israel so definitely not additional Hermes 900. My guesstimate is MQ-9B SeaGuardian.
🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard commissions donated rescue and patrol vessel as BRP Saranggani (6177).
The ship, formerly Taiwan CGA's Kinmen-class ship Kinmen (CG123) was donated by Taiwan through Filipino LGU WPS Foundation.
📷PCG & WPS Foundation
Max Montero retweeted
UPDATE: The Philippine Coast Guard successfully drove away Chinese research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 from waters off Itbayat, Batanes on Thursday, after challenging and disrupting its unauthorized marine scientific research.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua closed in, repeatedly challenged the vessel by radio, and deployed a RHIB to disrupt its activities.
During the operation, China Coast Guard vessel 2503 arrived and positioned itself near the two vessels, seemingly shielding the research vessel.
At around noon, Jia Hai Ke 7 left the waters off Itbayat and headed north, accompanied by the CCG.
(📹 PCG) @ABSCBNNews
Marine Protector-class patrol boats BRP Pag-asa (MPC-2701) & BRP Patag (MPC-2702) was seen aboard a commercial cargo vessel for delivery to the Philippines. Both were transferred to the PCG as part of US Philippines Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) program.
📷CTTO
🇵🇭Philippine Marine Corps displays its new 🇰🇷KOVICO Blue Shark KMPV armored tactical vehicles and 🇪🇸URO VAMTAC tactical field ambulances as they are inducted to service on 22 Sept 2026.
📷PMC
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The PMC awarded contracts to KOVICO to supply armored tactical vehicles including a field ambulance for Marine and UN Peacekeeping Operations back in early 2025 under the Jeep (4x4) and APC Wheeled Ambulance/Rescue Acquisition Project.
phdefresource.com/2024/11/gm…
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Max Montero retweeted
BREAKING:
China Coast Guard vessels are again violating the Philippines’ territorial sea near Pag-asa Island by loitering just off the coast.
The island is home to 450 Filipinos and part of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan.
The Philippine mainland is 500 km away while the Chinese mainland is 900 km away.
The UN had the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issue a verdict on the case in 2016 based on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea).
The tribunal ruled unanimously in favor of the Philippines on almost all its claims, concluding that China's "nine-dash line" geographic claim had no legal basis under international law.
The court affirmed that Pag-asa Island naturally possesses a 12-mile zone under automatic UNCLOS international law, and because the Philippines has continuous sovereignty and physical control over the land, that zone belongs to Manila.
Naval and coastguard vessels are forbidden by international law from loitering in the 12-mile zone of a territorial sea.
By doing so, they are actively violating the strict rules of Innocent Passage outlined in UNCLOS Articles 17–19.
China Coast Guard vessels are only legally allowed to enter the 12-mile zone if they are traveling “continuously and expeditiously” from Point A to Point B.
They must keep a steady speed, maintain a straight course and leave the zone as quickly as possible.
Instead, China keeps breaking against UNCLOS off the island as an intimidation campaign against the Philippines.
🇵🇭🇨🇳
Interesting news on the reported transfer of a retired Taiwan Coast Guard Administration vessel, the former Lienchiang (CG125) 500-ton patrol vessel, built in 2008 and retired in 2023.
The relations between PH and ROC has improved over the years after huge dip in 2013.
Taiwan appears to have transferred its recently-decommissioned CGA vessel Lienchiang to Manila, according to local daily UDN. Tracked on AIS as registered PH law enforcement vessel. CGA official statement did not deny the transfer.
udn.com/news/story/10930/975…
cga.gov.tw/GipOpen/wSite/ct?…
The Philippine Air Force has formally accepted & inducted to service the 2nd batch of Subaru-Bell 412EPX utility helicopters on 15 September 2026 at Col. Villamor Air Base.
This brings total Bell 412EPX helicopters of the PAF to 4 out of 8 units
📷PAF
Latest available photo of one of the 🇵🇭PH Air Force's ATR-72-600 special missions aircraft. There has been no formal induction to service yet for this aircraft and is expected that crew are still undergoing training.
Max Montero retweeted
Opposing PRC factually in a public and transparent manner now becomes “unruly behavior”.
That’s rich. Wow. 🙃
China’s position has always been clear on the so-called “South China Sea arbitration”. The Philippines unilaterally initiated the case, which is a distortion and abuse of the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism. It is the Philippine side who has violated UNCLOS and undermined its integrity and authority.
What happened in Seoul and thereafter revealed two truths:
First, an open and normal expression of views at a forum was exploited to launch a sweeping smear campaign against China and to sensationalize the issue. Allowing no room for any differing views in a public policy discussion, is precisely a manifestation of a lack of DECENCY. And when policy debate gives way to personal ridicule and mockery, that is what truly violates diplomatic decorum.
Second, anti-China forces are really trying to seize every opportunity to attack and smear China with relentless determination. This reflects their UNRULY BEHAVIOR—opposing China at every turn, regardless of the issue. These figures want to lecture the international community about civilization? They should do so only after they learn how to be civilized themselves.
We urge the certain individuals of the Philippines to cut the provocations and theatrics, and stop undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea.
——Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei
A Reddit post showed a letter from CSAFP to DND recommending acceptance of LOA for US FMS for 22 Bell 505 training helicopters. This would be funded by US FMF for FY2021 and FY2025, and would provide PAF with 12 units, PN with 6 units, and PA with 4 units, all for US$108.9m.
