US War Secretary Hegseth announces increased funding for AFP modernization

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United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced an increase in the US Department of War's security cooperation funds to accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Secretary Hegseth announced an increase in the Department of War's security cooperation funds to accelerate the AFP's modernization and enhance interoperability along the First Island Chain,” a readout released by the US Department of War stated.

However, the US Department of War did not specify the amount of the increase in security cooperation funds.

The announcement was made during Hegseth's meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

The two defense officials discussed progress in security cooperation, alliance modernization, and posture initiatives as the Philippines and the United States continued efforts to strengthen their defense partnership.

Hegseth and Teodoro also agreed to launch an alliance command and control modernization sprint to improve real-time bilateral coordination and strengthen the resilience of the alliance.

They also welcomed progress in operationalizing sites under the bilateral Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), including investments in critical infrastructure and storage facilities across the Philippines.

The Philippines is hosting the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ADMM-Plus on October 28 and 29 in Cebu.

ADMM is ASEAN's highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism, according to the Department of National Defense (DND).

The ADMM-Plus expands defense cooperation to eight dialogue partners including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. —VAL, GMA News