Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS) 2024 opened its doors on September 25, 2024, with a grand opening ceremony held at the Philippine Trade Training Center Global MSME Academy. The three-day exhibition, themed “Building on a Decade of Defense Capability,” has brought together senior government officials, regional VIP delegations, industry leaders, and academia to explore the latest defense technologies and foster collaboration.
The event, organized by APAC Expo, is supported by the Department of National Defense (DND), the National Security Council, and the Office of the President under its Bagong Pilipinas advocacy. This year’s ADAS is poised to be the largest event in the series, with a focus on showcasing the Philippines’ ongoing modernization program and its efforts to establish a credible deterrence against any form of aggression or threat.
The grand opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking government officials, headed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and other dignitaries from the defense and security community.
The event’s keynote speaker, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., emphasized the importance of strategic decision-making in the defense sector, highlighting the Philippines’ clear understanding of its needs and priorities. “The Philippines knows what it needs and what it wants. We know what we don’t need and what we don’t want. But what we don’t need and don’t want, other countries may want. So, let’s join hands to produce in this country, sustainably, what the Philippines needs and wants, and what other countries need but we don’t want. Fair enough?”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through his Chief Executive’s message, highlighted the pivotal role of ADAS in enhancing security not just in the Asia-Pacific but globally. “Over the past decade, ADAS has evolved into a premier platform for dialogue and collaboration among governments, military institutions, and defense contractors. This evolution underscores our shared understanding that the complexities of modern security threats cannot be effectively addressed in isolation.”
According to APAC Expo’s Managing Director, Andrew Marriott, “Aside from gaining insights into best practices, ADAS also assists in future procurement selection and planning. Networking with global industry counterparts provides a unique insight into future developments and gives manufacturers visibility into creating more efficient products for the challenges faced by the Philippines.”
The event will feature live demonstrations, product presentations, and networking opportunities with global leaders in defense and security. A series of symposiums and panel discussions will also offer expert insights into trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the future of defense and disaster management in the region.
Among the key highlights of the event are discussions on asymmetric warfare, information security, cyber defense, and cyber security, as well as demonstrations of advanced defense technologies such as naval ships, platforms for maritime patrols, and multi-role fighters.
The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has intensified its efforts to establish a credible deterrence against any form of aggression or threat through its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). The DND is also pursuing the modernization of physical assets and hardening infrastructure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The AFP chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., stressed that the country is looking for big-ticket items that will allow its military to comply with CADC. These include naval ships for the Navy to have an effective presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), platforms for maritime patrols, and multi-role fighters that augment the existing fleet of FA-50PH light combat aircraft.
As Asia’s defense and security community comes together at ADAS 2024, this event will play a crucial role in shaping the future of defense and security in the region. With its focus on collaboration, innovation, and strategic decision-making, ADAS 2024 is poised to be a landmark event in Asia’s defense calendar.
