Covid-19 and Asean’s growing military arsenal

IN Asia, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), well aware of its limitations and priorities, is keeping apace with military procurement and even weapons development programs to ensure that it will not be left behind in all kinds of defense preparedness.

Philippines. Military modernization program in terms of naval and aerial platforms is well marked in the Philippines. The Philippine Air Force received two attack helicopters last year donated by Jordan while the Philippine Navy commissioned two Wildcat helicopters, eight Korean amphibious assault vehicles and three more multipurpose attack craft this year. The second and final Jose Rizal-class multirole frigate began sea trials in November last year. To be known as the BRP Antonio Luna, the warship is armed with two triple-tube torpedo launchers as well as surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles capable of carrying out a variety of missions e.g., antiair warfare, anti-surface warfare and electronic warfare operations.