Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) is enhancing its capabilities to counter a range of threats, including airborne assaults, as part of its efforts to evolve into a more 'multi-domain' capable force. This strategic enhancement is seen as crucial for establishing a credible national defense posture.
According to Philippines News Agency, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala emphasized the importance of assessing and preparing for all potential threats. He stated that modern military planning is inherently multi-domain, and the PA is aligning itself towards achieving such capabilities. Airborne assaults, whether through paratroopers, air assault (heliborne), or rapid insertion into key terrain, form a significant part of the threat spectrum.
Airborne assault involves military operations where combat troops are transported by aircraft into battle zones to overpower enemy defenses and secure strategic positions. Dema-ala highlighted that preparations and countermeasures against such operations are already integrated into the Army's broader territorial defense and internal security frameworks.
The Army is also intensifying its focus on addressing amphibious landing threats, particularly due to the Philippines' archipelagic geography. Dema-ala pointed out that concentrating on amphibious landing scenarios during exercises like 'Balikatan' and 'Salaknib' is not only appropriate but necessary, given the country's geographic context and potential avenues of external aggression.
During the recently concluded Balikatan exercises, held from April 20 to May 8, combined Filipino and allied forces undertook two counter-landing drills in Palawan and Ilocos Norte. These exercises featured live-fire operations against a notional hostile force attempting to land on Philippine territory, underscoring the focus on coastal and littoral defenses. Dema-ala noted that any large-scale hostile force aiming to project power into Philippine territory would almost certainly require sea-based access.
However, Dema-ala clarified that the Army does not consider airborne and amphibious threats as 'mutually exclusive scenarios.' The overarching objective is to ensure readiness across all likely scenarios, not by training for everything simultaneously, but by addressing all critical threats with depth and realism over time.
