The Philippines maritime forces and its maritime military power projection capabilities: unfulfilled ambitions?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Philippine Navy is among the weakest of the naval forces in the Southeast Asia region, and its power projection capabilities are very limited. It is surprising how the Philippines, an archipelago country involved in maritime territorial disputes, could ignore the development of its maritime forces. As a result, the position of the Philippines in regional territorial disputes is weak. This study analyses the factors which have led to this situation, the PN modernisation process, and Filipino maritime power projection capabilities. The text is divided into three parts. The first defines the term “power projection” (or “force projection”). The second analyses the Philippines’ security challenges. Later, the potential and modernisation of the Philippine Navy, as well as its maritime power projection prospects, is analysed. The study concludes with findings. This study employs descriptive methodology and uses data from readily accessible sources to assess critically the conditions of this naval force.