THE Department of National Defense yesterday said procurement of submarines for the Philippine Navy under the AFP modernization program is not a priority as of now.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong cited limited government resources as reason for not prioritizing the submarine project which is under the Horizon 3 of the modernization program.
“Although submarines are in our wish list for Horizon 3, the Department is prioritizing the implementation of contracts signed during the previous administration, cognizant of the limitations in the resources available to the government,” said Andolong.
Top defense and military officials from the previous Duterte administration planned the procurement of at least two submarines. The Navy projected the project’s cost to be around P70 billion, including logistics support and development of ports to house the submarines.
The defense and military establishments are still implementing projects under Horizon 2 of the modernization program. Andolong said they are hoping to start with Horizon 3 projects next year.
