One of world’s ‘biggest’ countries buying first ever submarines – China WW3 fears | World | News
Tensions between the Philippines and China have forced the former to significantly bolster its naval capabilities. Between August 2024 and May 2025, law enforcement vessels from the two countries engaged in confrontational interactions with one another more than 12 times per month, according to data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.
The interactions, which have involved water cannons being deployed and ships being rammed, have prompted the Philippines to bolster its naval capabilities, as Beijing continues to expand its influence in the South China Sea. The nation is increasingly turning to South Korea to procure arms, with Seoul seen as a reliable regional partner, thanks to its impressive quality and reliable delivery timelines.
In recent years, the country has purchased capabilities ranging from frigates to fighter jets as part of an initiative known as the Horizon Military Modernisation Programme which seeks to modernise its military forces from the ground up.
The current phase of the project has a budget of £26billion allocated to bolster its fleet of frigates and patrol vessels, complemented with additional advanced fighter jets.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), as a longtime partner of the Philippine Navy has been tasked with the development after being awarded a £425million contract to supply two additional next-generation frigates to the Philippine Navy in December last year.
This comes following the awarding of a similar-sized contract in 2022 by the Manila government.
A HD HHI spokesperson said: “HD HHI’s vessels were in operation by the Philippine Navy, and they were very satisfied with the result. The technological trust the Navy has in the company is extremely high.”
They added: “We are not just selling ships by ships as individual products, but more as a cohesive system, where the frigates and corvettes that we built can operate smoothly.”
As well as its visual naval presence, the country is now seeking to develop its sub-surface fleet with the purchase of at least two diesel-electric submarines at a reported cost of £1.4billion.
Last week, Japan and the Philippines signed a defence pact that would permit the tax-free supply of ammunition, fuel, food and other essential materials during joint military exercises.
The Philippines is a nation of more than 116million people, making it the 14th most populous country on Earth.
