The advice Washington ignoredSo, if not sailing and saber rattling with America, how can the Philippines defend its territorial claims and sovereign rights in the South China Sea? That’s short for anti-access, area denial systems, which aim to deter intrusions through constant surveillance and powerful weaponry. Missiles would deter interlopers, even large warships, and air defense systems would protect rockets and bases, especially from jets firing missiles that home in on missile radar. India is also developing an 800-kilometer version, which can reach all the way to the Chinese coast from Northern Luzon. The AFP could spend another P20 billion for air defense, for a total A2-AD bill of P75 billion.

Source: Manila Times May 19, 2021 16:12 UTC