The Philippines has offered a US$1.5 billion budget to defense contractors around the world for phase one of its three-tier armed forces modernization program. It wishes to strengthen its bargaining chips in the dispute over the South China Sea's disputed territories, reports the US Defense News Weekly.
In a recent dispute over the South China Sea, the Philippines has attempted to gain international support, but was tied down by its lagging military equipment, said the Global Times, the Chinese daily newspaper under the supervision of the Communist Party.
The main motivation for the program of modernization is China's assertive claims in the South China Sea that have raised alarms in the region and from the US. Tthe Philippines has decided to give the US and Japanese navies more access to Philippine naval facilities. In addition, workshops attended by senior US military officers will be held to illustrate the needs to bolster Philippine armed forces.
Read the full story at Want China Times