MANILA (AP)--The Philippine military said Friday it has signed contracts with Britain and Belgium to upgrade navy patrol boats and buy automatic weapons as part of its modernization program. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Roy Cimatu signed a contract Thursday with the British government to upgrade the weapons system on three Jacinto Class Patrol Vessels for the navy, and with Belgium's FN Herstal for automatic weapons for the army and marines.
The Philippines has said it will embark on a military modernization program in support of the U.S. war on terror. The country is dealing with Muslim and communist insurgencies, and with criminal gangs specializing in kidnapping for ransom.
The naval upgrade "will enhance the present capability of the Philippine Navy to support the conduct of internal security operations, search-and-rescue and maritime operations," a military statement said.
It didn't say how much the contracts are worth.
The U.S., during a visit by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last year, said it would give the Philippines about $100 million in military and security aid for 2001-02.
About $10 million of that would go to counterterrorism efforts, and another $ 20 million would be spent to help modernize the military.
(This story was originally published by Dow Jones Newswires)
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