Twenty-six American defense and security firms are looking deeper into opportunities in co-production, joint development, and technology transfers in the Philippines, the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council (USABC) said.
The interest was conveyed during the 2025 Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines, the USABC’s largest industry delegation in its 41-year history, the USABC said in a statement on Saturday, August 16.
The delegation, consisting of 26 leading US defense and aerospace companies, was in Manila on Aug. 14 and 15 to build on the momentum as the two countries sought to deepen defense relations further, the USABC said.
During their engagements, the mission highlighted opportunities for “co-production, joint development, technology transfers, and workforce development across defense systems, dual-use technologies, and cyber capabilities.”
“The US private sector is firmly committed to supporting the Philippines’ long-term security and economic goals. This mission reflects our enduring strategic partnership and shared vision for regional stability,” USABC senior vice president and regional managing director Ted Osius said in the statement.
The delegation met with more than 120 leaders in the Philippine defense and security sectors, including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
High-level meetings were held with Teodoro, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Air Force Commanding General Arthur Cordura, Civil Aviation Authority Director General Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario (ret.), and representatives of the Philippine Army, Department of Budget and Management, and the Senate and House Committees on National Defense and Security.
The mission was co-led by Osius and Boeing Southeast Asia vice president and ADS committee chair Dale McDowall.
McDowall said Boeing will be honored to collaborate with the USABC and the Philippine government to help advance the latter’s capabilities.
“Missions like this are vital to advancing the next phase of military modernization in the Philippines,” he said.
“This work strengthens the nation’s readiness and elevates its strategic posture in a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
The mission received briefings on the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Act from the Department of National Defense, Board of Investments, and Public-Private Partnership Center.
Two Filipino companies, First Philippine Industrial Park and Armscor Global Defense, Inc., offered practical insights into the local business landscape and highlighted opportunities for industrial collaboration and local defense manufacturing.
Armscor, present in over 65 countries, affirmed its support for the SRDP program and its goal to develop a domestic defense industry that attracts more investments and lessens the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers for defense and security requirements.
The companies that joined the mission include Boeing, GE Aerospace, IMSG, Citi, Lockheed Martin, Atmo, Bell, and RTX, AEVEX Aerospace, Alliance Global Group, Anglicotech Philippines Inc., BAE Systems, Bardex Corporation, COLT, Domo Tactical Communications, Echodyne Corporation, Forward Edge-AI, HavocAI, HawkEye 360, Leonardo DRS, Naval Systems, Inc., Neros Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Planet Labs, Silvus Technologies, and Universal Synaptics.
Credible defense posture
National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. reiterated the urgent need for the country to build a credible defense posture amid complex geopolitical and socio-economic realities.
Teodoro delivered the message during the US-ASEAN Business Council 2025 Aerospace, Defense and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines, a DND statement on Friday, August 15, said.
“It is more painful to be behind the curve because one day you need to be on that curve. If not, you lose. And you have to win in whatever objective you set,” Teodoro said.
“You cannot have a soft win which is not permanent. You need a firm win. And for me, the win is, nobody touches the Philippines — whoever it may be,” he added.
Subic as US defense
manufacturer
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez has urged the United States to consider the country as its potential manufacturer of US warships, as Washington, DC seeks to fortify its fleet over the next 30 years.
“Subic, obviously the (former) Hanjin Subic Shipyard, is (in) shipbuilding operation and we’re sure it could possibly be part of what the United States is looking at,” Romualdez said Thursday, August 14, in an interview on the sidelines of the US – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council meeting.
According to Romualdez, the US aims to revive its long-stalled shipbuilding industry, while the Philippines’ shipbuilding operations are already active.
“(The US) wants to increase their shipbuilding industry. It’s been on hold for many years, and now they are reviving it. Ours is already operating right now,” he said. (PNA)
