The Philippines increased its defense spending by 30% in 2015.

According to Xinhua, the government of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is seeking to increase defense spending by nearly 30%, to 112.5 billion pesos (US$2.66 billion) in 2015.

According to a proposal submitted by President Aquino to the Philippine Congress on July 30, this increase in defense spending is part of the $60.04 billion budget for 2015, representing 18.4% of the Philippines' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 15.1% higher than the 2014 budget of $52.3 billion.

Philippine soldiers at a show of force. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Earlier, in a speech on July 28, Aquino pledged to continue implementing the modernization program for the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP).

Under this program, the military will be equipped with eight Sokol multi-role combat helicopters, three AgustaWestland-109 helicopters, and the first landing ship, the BRP Tagbanua.

Additionally, four refurbished UH-1 helicopters and two naval vessels ordered by the Philippine government have been delivered to the country.

By 2015, the Philippines is expected to receive two of the 12 FA-50 fighter-trainer aircraft that Manila ordered from South Korea.

The Philippines is currently seeking to acquire eight new Bell multirole combat helicopters, two anti-submarine helicopters, ten more AgustaWestland-109 helicopters, two light transport aircraft, three medium transport aircraft, and radar systems.

According to VNA