Philippines Pushes for “Dream” Submarines as Global Defense Giants Battle for the Deal

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(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), General Romeo Brawner, has boldly declared that securing at least two submarines is not just an ambition—it is a “dream” that the nation must turn into reality under its military modernization program.

For years, the AFP has longed for submarines—powerful, stealthy guardians of the deep—viewing them as game-changing assets in the battle to push back against relentless incursions by Chinese military and coast guard vessels into Philippine territorial waters in the South China Sea.

“It is our dream to have at least two submarines. We are an archipelagic nation, so we must have this capability because it is extremely difficult to defend our vast maritime territory without submarines,” Brawner stated recently.

As part of the ambitious Horizon modernization program, the Philippine government is poised to pour a staggering US$35 billion (RM154 billion) over the next decade into acquiring cutting-edge weapon systems, a move aimed at transforming its armed forces into a formidable power.

Beyond submarines, the AFP is gearing up for a major boost in air combat strength, with plans to acquire at least two squadrons of multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).

The JAS 39 Gripen has emerged as the frontrunner in this high-stakes race, outpacing the F-16 Block 70 offered by the United States.

Yet, as the nation looks to the future, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is still forced to rely on just 12 FA-50 light fighter jets from South Korea—a modest fleet standing guard against an increasingly aggressive foe.

The skies above the Philippines grow more dangerous by the day, as foreign warplanes, particularly modern and superior Chinese fighter jets, continue to test its airspace.

The threat is not confined to the skies alone.

General Brawner has sounded the alarm, revealing that China’s actions in the South China Sea have escalated, becoming more brazen and insidious.

The Philippine military has witnessed a surge in “illegal, coercive, and deceptive” maneuvers, further fueling tensions in these contested waters.

“We have also seen an increase in the number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea on a daily basis,” he added, referring to Manila’s term for waters in the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The race to arm the Philippine Navy with its first-ever submarines is heating up, as global defense giants aggressively vie for a spot in the nation’s military transformation.

In a dramatic push to secure a foothold in the Philippines’ historic submarine acquisition, Spain’s state-linked Navantia has entered the fray with a game-changing offer—two cutting-edge, stealth-driven S-80 Isaac Peral-class submarines, deep-diving predators of the sea.

The price tag? A jaw-dropping US$1.7 billion (RM7.65 billion).

The Spanish Navy already commands four of these formidable war machines, a testament to their battle-hardened capabilities.

But Navantia’s proposal isn’t just about selling submarines—it’s an audacious bid to reshape the Philippines into a rising naval power.

This high-stakes offer extends far beyond the submarines themselves.

At its core is the promise of a fully equipped submarine base in Ormoc, Leyte, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure and comprehensive logistical support—a crucial step in ensuring that the Philippines can not only acquire, but sustain and dominate with its underwater fleet for decades to come.

According to Navantia’s commercial manager, Guilermo Zamarippa, this deal is more than just a transaction—it’s a transformation.

The proposal includes elite, hands-on training for Filipino submarine crews, a robust technology transfer program, and long-term maintenance support, ensuring that these vessels don’t just exist beneath the waves, but strike fear into any adversary daring to challenge Philippine waters.

“Navantia is offering a comprehensive solution to support the Philippine submarine force, with a revolutionary submarine concept, interoperability, and necessary training and operational requirements,” Zamarippa stated.

The S-80 Isaac Peral-class submarines are 81 meters long and capable of conducting land-attack missions, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and anti-surface and anti-submarine operations.

These conventional submarines, which require a crew of only 32 personnel, are equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, enabling them to remain submerged for up to three weeks without surfacing.

Additionally, the S-80 submarines offered to the Philippines can be armed with Harpoon missiles as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles, the latter of which is currently used by the United States Navy for land-attack missions.

Another contender is France’s Naval Group, which has proposed supplying the Philippines with two Scorpène-class diesel-electric submarines, the same type operated by Malaysia.

In 2022, Naval Group opened an office in Manila to facilitate its submarine sales campaign. Since 2020, the Philippine government has been considering the acquisition of two Scorpène-class submarines from the French firm.

Naval Group has stated that it is in intensive discussions with the Philippine government regarding the sale.

In late 2020, then-Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. announced via Twitter (now X) that the Philippines would acquire two Scorpène submarines, along with full training for multiple crew rotations.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Philippine media outlet Rappler reported that France had offered two submarines to Manila in exchange for permission to conduct seabed research in the country’s waters.

According to Rappler, France proposed building two diesel-electric submarines for the Philippine Navy based on NATO design and standards as part of the arrangement.

South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME) has also stepped into the arena with a formidable offer—the Jang Bogo-III, a next-generation hunter of the deep.

This latest evolution of the renowned Jang Bogo-class is 77 meters of cutting-edge stealth and firepower, equipped with advanced propulsion systems and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology, making it a ghost beneath the waves—virtually undetectable to enemies.

Designed to strike fast and hard, the Jang Bogo-III can house 41 crew members, slice through the ocean at 21 knots, and is armed to the teeth with six torpedo tubes, capable of launching devastating missile strikes.

But Hanwha Ocean isn’t just selling submarines—it’s offering the Philippines a blueprint for naval supremacy.

The deal comes with a comprehensive package, including elite crew training, technology transfer, integrated logistics support, high-tech simulators, and cutting-edge maintenance facilities, to be built either in Subic Bay or a location chosen by the Philippine Navy.

And in a move that ups the ante, South Korea is sweetening the deal with a seven-year loan featuring exceptionally attractive interest rates, ensuring the Philippines can secure its underwater firepower without financial strain.

With competition heating up and defense powerhouses making their move, the battle for the Philippines’ first fleet of submarines has never been more intense.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA