US promises $100 million in military aid to the Philippines

The United States promised to provide $100 million in military aid to the Philippines for 2026 to help improve deterrence capability in the face of rising tension in the region.

File photo of US State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott at a press briefing . Official handout

Manuel Mogato | July 23, 2026

MANILA — The United States promised to provide $100 million in military aid to the Philippines for 2026 to help improve deterrence capability in the face of rising tension in the region.

Thomas Pigott, the US State Department spokesman, said the 2026 military aid was a $60 million increase over historical annual funding levels.

The Philippines will also receive a lion’s share of the $21.45 million in a separate International Military Education and Training (IMET) for ASEAN states this year.

Pigott said the US will offer military education and training programs in Brunei and will restart the same program in Cambodia.

The US military assistance package was announced as Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Manila for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. (Also read: US claims Iran “not serious” with peace talks)

Rubio will engage with ASEAN and regional leaders to advance the United States’ vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, reaffirm U.S. commitment to ASEAN centrality, and strengthen the U.S.-Philippine alliance. (Also read: Rubio says China escalates action on Ayungin Shoal)

“Recognizing the strategic importance of Southeast Asia to the future of American security and prosperity, the United States is investing over $2.5 billion to strengthen security cooperation, build strategic infrastructure, advance technology-related cooperation, bolster energy security, and combat transnational crime in Southeast Asia,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Pigott said the US will also fund the $9 million project to expand a Philippine Coast Guard pier in Palawan to enhance Philippine maritime law enforcement presence and sustain operations in the South China Sea. (Also read: What’s the reason behind US expansion of military engagements in the Philippines?)

In addition, the US will provide $19 million to support investigations, prosecution, information sharing, and training and equipment for Philippine counterterrorism efforts which advances the security of the American Homeland.

About $10 million will also help improve the Philippines’ access to the Rhombus AI Concierge platform, which enables data-driven AI analytics and real-time predictive analysis to inform strategic national security decisions. An additional $3 million will help provide cyber-related training to the Philippines.

Pigott also announced plans to work with Congress to provide over $100 million in strategic assistance for infrastructure and other investments in the Philippines, focused on Subic Bay in the Luzon Economic Corridor.

“The State Department will fund upgrades including port facilities and a fuel storage terminal with 120+ million liters of capacity,” he added.