The Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) strengthened cooperation in defense modernization, logistics, and defense industry development during the 27th Joint Committee Meeting on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation held on June 23, 2026, in Mandaluyong City.
Department of National Defense (DND) Assistant Secretary for Logistics and Acquisition Rene Raoul Rommel D.C. Honasan led the Philippine delegation, while Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Vice Minister Il Dong Kim co-chaired for the ROK side.
The meeting followed the recent state visit of ROK President Lee Jae Myung to the Philippines, where defense cooperation was identified as a key pillar of the expanding bilateral partnership.
Honasan said ongoing collaboration with South Korea continues to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program, particularly through industry engagement and sustainment support.
“As the AFP continues its modernization efforts, we appreciate the support of the Republic of Korea and the continued interest of Korean defense companies,” he said.
Discussions focused on sustainment of existing defense platforms, logistics support systems, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and expanded technology and knowledge exchange.
Both sides also explored deeper cooperation in research and development, training, supply chain resilience, and infrastructure support aimed at strengthening long-term defense readiness.
ROK Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa attended the meeting, underscoring continued momentum in bilateral defense ties.
Officials said the JCM remains a key mechanism for translating strategic defense partnerships into concrete capability-building initiatives for the AFP modernization program.
ROK Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa also attended the meeting, highlighting the continued growth of bilateral defense relations and the expanding opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Assistant Secretary Honasan emphasized that the JCM serves as an important platform for translating strategic partnership into concrete initiatives that directly contribute to the modernization and operational readiness of the AFP.
“These outcomes continue to serve as the foundation of our shared efforts to enhance defense capabilities and deepen cooperation between our two countries,” he concluded.
The meeting brought together representatives from the DND, including Assistant Secretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development Augusto V. Gaite, the AFP, and the ROK Armed Forces to review ongoing cooperation initiatives and identify opportunities for future collaboration in support of the AFP Modernization Program.