Manuel Mogato | August 24, 2026
MANILA — A high-level delegation from the defense department met with senior Ukrainian officials early this month to discuss a co-production agreement to manufacture cheap but effective drones used in combat operations.
Retired Air Force general Salvador Melchor Mison Jr, a senior defense undersecretary, traveled with a senior defense and military delegation to Ukraine in the first week of August to discuss transfer of technology and knowledge with Ihor Zhovkva, a top official from the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Philippine delegation explored the possibility of building tactical drones in the country with Ukraine’s help, building on the Eastern European state’s experience in its fight against superior Russian forces. (Also read: PH, Ukraine forge stronger alliance amid rising global security threats)
“We are still in the initial stages of entering into a formal agreement with Ukraine for drone co-production,” a senior defense official said.
“This agreement will boost our maritime security in disputed waters in the South China Sea. We hope to produce our own uncrewed air and naval systems.”
The defense official could not say how soon the two countries can sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a legal framework for co-production and industrial cooperation for unmanned systems.
The Philippines has limited drone capabilities, relying on a few US-donated aerial, surface, and sub-surface systems for surveillance and reconnaissance.
It has also acquired on a commercial basis Israeli aerial drones and several hundred cheap Chinese tactical drones for the Philippine Army. (Also read: Philippines tests anti-drone defense in Zambales)
“We have been watching developments in Eastern Europe, Iran, and other areas where drones played a bigger role on the battlefield, particularly in asymmetrical capabilities,” the senior defense official added. (Also read: The Philippines needs counter-drone aircraft)
In 2017, the Philippines realized the importance of drones in defeating Islamist militants that occupied Marawi City for five months.
“The Islamist militants were also using commercial drones used for weddings, so we have to counter those with our military-grade drones,” the defense official said, adding, “luckily we didn’t lose a single drone against the poorly equipped militants”.
He said the formal agreement with Ukraine would also boost the defense department’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program.
“We hope, in the future, we could supply our neighbors with cheaper drones,” he added.
