Philippines Allocates $745 Million For 12 Fighter Planes, 2 Frigates

Philippine has allocated US$745 million for its armed Forces to purchase 12 fighter aircraft, two long range patrol aircraft, two frigates and radar systems.

The budget is part of the proposed 3.3 billion pesos budget of the Department of the National Defense (DND) for 2016, various media reported today.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the DND’s budget for next year is 11.6 percent more than the 2015 budget.

Defense Undersecretary for Finance, Munitions and Material Fernando Manalo said, “The utilization of this amount will be to pay the multi-year obligational authority for the 30 projects approved by the President”.

The Personal Services component shall support a staffing summary of line agencies composed of 12,049 civilian employees and 62,348 CAFGU members, Gazmin added.