The Philippines and South Korea agreed on October 28, 2026, to deepen cooperation in military modernization, defense technology and joint training, the Philippine Department of National Defense said. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met on the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus summit in Cebu.
South Korea, already a supplier of FA-50 fighter jets to the Philippine Air Force, would gain a wider defense industry and training role in the Philippines under the cooperation the two defense chiefs discussed. The DND gave no figures for the value of any equipment or training involved.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul agreed to deepen cooperation in military modernization, defense technology and joint training at a meeting on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Cebu on October 28, 2026, the Philippine Department of National Defense said.
The two officials reaffirmed their commitment to military modernization, defense technology and increased operational cooperation, the DND said. Teodoro described the Philippines and South Korea as brother-and-sister countries, citing people-to-people ties and defense industry cooperation.
Teodoro cited the participation of Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets, manufactured in South Korea, in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 as an example of the expanding defense relationship. He proposed closer cooperation between the Philippine Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, including language training, basic and advanced military instruction and personnel exchanges.
Kang emphasized the importance of military education and training in developing defense capabilities and strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to the DND. The DND said the meetings reflected the Philippines' efforts to deepen security partnerships with regional allies while advancing the modernization and readiness of its armed forces.
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