.css-cn685g{color:#2aa191;inline-size:-webkit-fit-content;inline-size:-moz-fit-content;inline-size:fit-content;color:#2aa191;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:22.4px;}@media (min-width:768px){.css-cn685g{font-size:22px;line-height:30.8px;}}Asian AngleThe Philippine military must transform, not just modernise

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Changes to doctrine and force structure are needed to realise the armed forces’ dream of becoming a 21st century military

Changes to doctrine and force structure are needed to realise the armed forces’ dream of becoming a 21st century military

Although military modernisation provides incremental capability upgrades, it is insufficient to build a force capable of territorial defence. The armed forces’ drastic shift in strategic posture – from internal security to territorial defence – necessitates a military transformation that surpasses modernisation. Whereas modernisation involves evolutionary change aimed at improving what an organisation is already doing, transformation is a more comprehensive process that seeks to gradually change how military forces fight through “new combinations of concepts, capabilities, people and organisations”.

Consequential changes in doctrine and force structure are necessary if there is to be military transformation in the Philippines.

The CADC emphasises greater and more elaborate roles for the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy, which would require the development of new doctrines providing the fundamental principles guiding the employment of military forces in coordinated and integrated action against external security threats. However, the armed forces has yet to articulate clear doctrines in this area, making it difficult to evaluate progress.

© South China Morning Post