Will Israel be a major player in the Philippines’ US$36 billion military upgrade?

While Israeli arms are attractive for their quality and affordability, a backlash – domestically, regionally, and internationally – looms

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Filipino soldiers. The Philippines is considering buying more military equipment from Israel in a bid to modernise its armed forces. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:30pm, 1 Oct 2024

Israel is setting its sights on a pivotal role in the Philippines’ ambitious US$36 billion military modernisation initiative, aiming to boost its defence exports in the process. But experts caution that both domestic and international backlash against the Israeli arms industry could complicate Manila’s efforts to enhance its military capabilities.

At the heart of this engagement is Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), one of the country’s largest defence firms, which has reportedly been in talks with Philippine officials about supplying coastal and aerial defence systems.

Maxim Zemer, the company’s senior vice-president of marketing for Asia and Africa, said IAI was “working according to the requirements of the Philippines” during a defence exhibition in Manila on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg.

The Philippines has long relied on Israeli military technology, known for its quality and affordability compared to Western options, analysts say.

Israel is already the Philippines’ second-largest arms supplier, with imports reaching more than US$4.2 million this year alone. Manila accounts for roughly 12 per cent of Israel’s arms exports.

Manila sources a lot of its military equipment from Israel

Vincent Kyle Parada, ex-Philippine Navy defence analyst

“Manila sources a lot of its military equipment from Israel, everything from rifles and missiles to armoured vehicles, drones, planes, and smaller attack craft,” said Vincent Kyle Parada, a former defence analyst for the Philippine Navy.