The Philippines government has announced it will stop placing new orders from Israeli defense companies, but the country’s deep reliance on Israeli military systems makes a complete break nearly impossible.
Background of the Ban#
Manila declared its intention to halt new Israeli defense procurements following domestic political pressure and tensions over Israel’s refusal to recognize Philippine territorial claims in the South China Sea. However, the extensive integration of Israeli defense systems throughout the Philippine armed forces has created significant dependencies that cannot be easily severed.
Continued Israeli Presence#
According to MaxDefense Philippines, Elbit Systems continues to provide training and support for the Philippines’ comprehensive drone and UAV program, along with its subcontractors. The services span multiple tiers of unmanned aerial vehicles:
- Tier 1: Short-range UAVs including Thor and Skylark 1 models
- Tier 2: Medium-sized Skylark 3 drones
- Tier 3: Medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs, specifically the Hermes 450
Creative Workarounds#
Manila has found ways to work around its own restrictions on Israeli procurements. One method involves purchasing from Elbit subsidiaries rather than directly from the parent company.
Last month, the Philippines purchased sonar systems from Geospectrum, a company fully owned by Elbit Systems. While the deal is relatively small at $41 million, it signals that Manila is not implementing an absolute boycott on new Israeli defense acquisitions.
Regional Context#
This development highlights the complex position many Asian nations find themselves in regarding Israeli defense products. Despite political pressures, the operational capabilities and established support infrastructure of Israeli systems often make them difficult to replace with alternatives from other suppliers.
Source: Globes
