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DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 960px; display: block;" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176638745081520221115-solidum-renato-dost-MD-1.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align: left;">DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA &mdash; The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said that it would boost the Philippine defense industry in 2026 to avoid &ldquo;overdependence&rdquo; on other countries.</p><p>The DOST has started developing armored vehicles and gun stabilizers for the Philippine military, Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. told state television PTV.</p><p>&ldquo;Nakita natin sa mga bansa na nagkaroon ng mas malaking research sa defense, umangat din ang ekonomiya kasi imbis na mag-import ka ng mga kailangan mo, puwede nang i-localize,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>&ldquo;&lsquo;Yung ganitong tech can be useful for us para hindi tayo magkaroon ng overdependence sa ibang bansa,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Solidum neither gave a specific timeline for the program nor a list of defense products the DOST intended to develop.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/teodoro-urges-congress-to-amend-afp-modernization-law-2101">Teodoro urges Congress to amend AFP Modernization Law</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/28/afp-welcomes-dnd-push-to-fast-track-modernization-program-2248">AFP welcomes DND push to fast-track modernization program</a></div><p>In the meantime, the DOST will also push for the upskilling and automation of more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) next year, Solidum said.</p><p>&ldquo;Gagawan natin ng programa kung saan maaari silang gumamit ng artificial intelligence,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>&ldquo;Papalakasin natin ang partnership with the industry. Kung mayroon silang R and D (research and development) team at kulang lang sila ng pag-procure ng equipment, puwede tayo magbigay ng financing, payable in 3 years,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Other government interventions include assistance in materials testing and the development of human resources through scholarship grants, he said.</p><div><br style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></div>

<p>The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said that it would boost the Philippine defense industry in 2026 to avoid “overdependence” on other countries.</p>

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday said that it would boost the Philippine defense industry in 2026 to avoid “overdependence” on other countries.

DOST to boost Philippine defense industry in 2026

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DOST to boost Philippine defense industry in 2026

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 22, 2025 03:12 PM PHT

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DOST

Department of Science and Technology

defense

Renato Solidum

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