Philippines eyes procurement of small boats, ammunition equipment from Canada

The Philippines is planning to procure small boats and ammunition equipment from Canada as part of its continued efforts to upgrade the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This was announced by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday after he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation last Saturday with Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast.

The small boats that Manila plans to buy should be able to maneuver rough waters, he said.

Manila already has placed an order to improve the country's capability to produce ammunition, Gazmin said. "We are also looking at small boats for rough waters."


No "big-ticket" items such as fighter jets would be procured from Canada.

With the MOU, the Philippine government can have access to the expertise and skills from Canada.