"The Philippines is strengthening its local defence industry under the revitalised Self-Reliant Defence Posture (SRDP) law, aiming to boost domestic weapons production in response to escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. Speaking at the SRDP Forum in Quezon City on Friday, Defence Undersecretary Ireneo Cruz Espino said the government is shifting "from vision to action" in building a self-sufficient defence sector. "The Philippines is being recognised as a strategic defence hub, opening doors for co-production, local manufacturing, and licensed defence technologies," Espino said. "The Self-Reliance Defence Posture Revitalisation Act [is] a bold step toward a stronger, more self-sufficient national defence," he added. Signed into law on October 8, 2024, Republic Act No. 12024, or the SRDP Revitalisation Act, removes key restrictions that previously limited local manufacturers from supplying the military. The measure promotes technology transfer, incentivises local defence production, and seeks to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Espino added that the revitalised SRDP law paves the way for future production of more advanced weapon systems within the Philippines through government incentives and contracts to domestic firms. The two-day forum highlighted local military innovations, from small arms to next-generation drones and unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAVs and USVs), highlighting the growing role of domestic production in national defence. "The importance of having a drone manufacturing company in the Philippines is that it offers innovation, self-reliance, and dependency in our country," said aeronautical engineer Andry Annah Jane Lanuza. "If it is manufactured here, for sure, we will become a drone hub of Asia. Mark my word, Philippines," said Tjader Regis, president of Davao UAV. The Philippines' renewed defence push comes as the country's military faces growing concerns over China's potential use of drone swarms for surveillance and attacks, particularly in the disputed territories of the South China Sea. "