Deals and Drills: Vietnam and The Philippines Procure Capabilities and Partners
Vietnam and the Philippines are accelerating aerospace and maritime modernization through major procurements, joint exercises, domestic policy resolutions, and emerging security frameworks. The Philippines is advancing fighter jet acquisitions—including FA-50s from South Korea and a potential U.S. F-16 deal—while deploying guided missile frigates and NMESIS anti-ship systems in drills with U.S. and Japanese forces. The ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan marks a new phase of interoperability in the South China Sea. Vietnam, meanwhile, is finalizing commercial orders with Boeing and Airbus, scaling up UAV investments, and deepening defense ties with France, Singapore, and the United States, as demonstrated by the recent high-endurance cutter transfer. Domestically, it is reinforcing its strategic posture through Resolution No. 8 on national defense and reaffirming its commitment to Resolution No. 57, which targets structural barriers to science and technology development. Across both countries, defense cooperation is intensifying amid shifting regional alignments and rising tensions.
