Author | Lightnews

Max Montero

Max Montero

@maxmontero.bsky.social

75 followers 4 following 68 posts

Naval Projects Associate Consultant. Defense Writer focused on Philippines & Indo-Pacific. Editor, MaxDefense Philippines Lead Partner, Philippine Defense Resource Former Philippine Navy officer.

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Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · May 17

Photo of 1st HDP-2200 OPV for the🇵🇭Philippine Navy, launched recently by 🇰🇷HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Formal Launching Ceremony expected to be announced soon by DND and PN.

Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense Philippines.

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 29

🇯🇵Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is in Manila for a 2-day official visit, meeting 🇵🇭Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Both agreed to start negotiations for a new defense agreement called the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ASCA) and defense intelligence sharing.

📷Reuters

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 26

🇵🇭Philippine Navy's Acero-class fast indiction craft BRP Albert Majini (PG-909) conducted Missile Exercise on 28 April 2025, firing 2 rounds of 🇮🇱Spike NLOS missile to a target 24km away. Swarm Exercise also conducted with BRP Tomas Campo (PG-908).
📽 Philippine Navy

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

🇺🇲Lockheed Martin released a new graphic illustration of their F-16C Blk70 Viper in 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force colors, while also rmade statements on F-16 strengths vs other options. Strong emphasis was made on seamless integration with PAF's 🇰🇷KAI FA-50 which LM co-developed.

📷LM

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

In addition, 🇫🇷OCEA is also discussing for the possible construction of a training ship for the 🇵🇭Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) using the OPV-270 design.

The PMMA is a government-run institution that seeks to modernize its education and training standards and assets.

📷 CTTO
4/4

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

🇫🇷OCEA is also in talks with the Philippines for 2 additional OPV-270 83-meter offshore patrol vessels to the 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard, using the same arrangement of French ODA financing & local construction.

Currently the PCG has one, the BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301).

📷 CTTO
3/4

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

The 🇵🇭PH Government has been in discussion with 🇫🇷French Govt & OCEA regarding this plan since 2021, which includes building a shipyard in the Philippines, and supply 40 FPBs mix of FPB 110 & FPB 98 designs, with at least 20 built in the future OCEA Philippines shipyard.

📷 OCEA
2/4

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

Despite a Limited Source Tender still ongoing, the state-owned Philippine News Agency reported that 🇫🇷French shipbuilder OCEA was given the Notice of Award to supply 40 fast patrol boats to the 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard worth ~Php25b. Project is financed by French ODA loans.

📷OCEA
1/4

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

The 🇵🇭Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that the Philippine Navy's retired patrol vessel ex-BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) will be used as naval target for the Maritime Strike Exercises as part Exercise BALIKATAN 40-2025.

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

🇨🇳Chinese carrier Shandong (17) and a Type 0815A electronic surviellance ship were seen INSIDE 🇵🇭Philippine territorial waters off Babuyan Islands, photograohed by AFP ISR assets.

China cannot use Innocent Passage since they can freely use international waters in their movement.
📷AFP

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

The 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard received its 5th BN-2 Islander aircraft w/ t/n 829, this one donated by Fliteline Airways.

Important addition as China consistently breach PH territorial & EEZ waters.

So far PCG has 4 other Islanders w/ t/n 251, 684, 2169 & 829.

📷planespotter_excelsior @ IG

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 25

🇵🇭Philippine Air Force inducts a new Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft on 24 April 2025. While this is the 4th of such type in PAF service, this was purchased by PAF & not from US Military Assistance and has no ISR equipment, but will serve in transport/utility role.
📷PAF

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 20

Indian press reports that 🇮🇳Brahmos Aerospace already shipped the 2nd Brahmos Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Battery for the 🇵🇭Philippine Marine Corps. No further details on date and specifics probably for OPSEC reasons.
📷Indian MOD

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 17

Evidence that the 🇵🇭Philippine Navy also has the 🇺🇲MANTAC Devil Ray T24 unmanned surface vessel (USV) aside from the smaller T12 that was previously confirmed. Photos taken during Philippine Fleet 87th Anniversary earlier this week.
📷MaxDefense PH

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 16

🇮🇹Fincantieri announced that it is leading a team with 🇩🇪Germany's TKMS to offer the U212 NFS submarine to the 🇵🇭Philippine Navy, with 2 subs + submarine basing infra + guaranteed support from Italian Navy on training, doctrines & logistics.

www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...

Fincantieri confirms offer of U212 NFS submarines to the Philippines

A U212 submarine of the Italian Navy. Photo c/o Fincantieri. Fincantieri press release dated 16 April 2025: Fincantieri and thyssenkrupp M...

www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 16

The 🇺🇲US DSCA announced the potential FMS of TH-72A Thrasher training helicopters for the 🇵🇭Philippines, with expected worth of US$120m. No quantity provided but we estimate between 18-20 units plus ILS as listed in DSCA announcement.
📷USN, DSCA

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 15

The 🇵🇭Philippine Navy will be procuring new flight simulators foe the Naval Air Wing, with Manila Aerospace Inc selected to supply probably 🇺🇲Redbird flight simulator systens.

More here:
www.phdefresource.com/2025/03/ac-p...

AC-PNBAC1-2024-24 Flight and Tactical Simulators for Naval Air Wing Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

www.phdefresource.com

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 14

🇵🇭Philippine Army and Air Force simulate sling loading of artillery piece using S-70i Black Hawk helicopter. This is a new capability due to lack of powerful helicopters in the past. Late as it may be, at least its now something that can be done.
📽9th FAB, PA AAR

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 2

RIP Iceman.

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 2

Out of the US$5.58 billion package offered by the US to the Philippines for F-16 Blk 70/72 Viper fighters, we estimate that $500 million or more will just be for the 114 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and 40 AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, based on recent sales of such missiles.
📷USAF

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 2

We summarized the difference between the 🇺🇲US FMS package for F-16 Viper fighter aircraft to the 🇵🇭Philippines that was made in June 2021 and the new one from April 2025. This is based on DSCA's published statement. This may justify the somehow hgh average cost per aircraft.

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 2

As mentioned by US DSCA, the package can still change which will affect package estimated cost. But not mentioned is the possibility of US FMF to be used to lower the overall cost to the Philippines, as US reaffirmed commitments of continued military assistance & FMF.
📷TWZ
2/x

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Apr 2

🇺🇲US DSCA announces proposed sale to the 🇵🇭Philippines of 20 F-16C/D Blk 70/72 Viper fighter aircraft, large munition, spares, & support package for US$5.58 billion.

This is 1/2 of the planned nunber of new fighters the Philippines is planning in the next few years.
📷TWZ
1/x

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Mar 31

The frigate Miguel Malvar (06) left HD HHI's shipyard in 🇰🇷Ulsan, South Korea and has set sail for its delivery trip to the 🇵🇭Philippines earlier today 31 March 2025. Arrival ceremonies are scheduled on 08 April 2025.
📷GunBung Lee

Max Montero @maxmontero.bsky.social · Mar 29

As part of its discussions with the 🇵🇭Philippines, 🇺🇲US Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth confirmed that the US will deploy the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Unmanned Usrface Vessels to the Philippines, as part of efforts to increass deterence.