Israel is looking to bolster its defense ties with the Philippines and will help modernize armed forces by supplying the latest military technologies.
Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said the country’s different technologies and systems can be used by the Philippine Navy, Army, Air Force and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“So, we’re in touch with different military branches here,” he said.
Fluss said leading Israeli companies can introduce their technology and best practices to help Manila advance its military capabilities.
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He said this was necessary for the ” peace and to the safety and security of both the Filipino people and the Israelis alike.”
Two countries maintain close security ties.
Israel has been selling a large amount of weaponry to the Philippine Army over the years and the flow of arms to the region has spiked with tensions in the South China Sea.
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Defense products delivered by Israel to the Philippines between 2001-2018 included Blue Horizon UAVs EL/M-2032 ac combat radar and EL/M-2288 AD-STAR air search radar systems, M-68/M-71 155mm towed guns, Spike-ER anti-tank missiles, Spike-NLOS SSM/ASM, and EL/M-2022 multiple-platform aircraft radar.
Fluss also visited the Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado to discuss various maritime and defense security issues.
The bilateral ties and strong defense and military partnership were among the highlights during Ambassador Fluss’s courtesy call on the Navy chief. (AW)
