The Philippines and South Africa are eyeing to boost their respective defense priorities and military modernization programs.

This, after Ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe met with Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City over the weekend, to discuss possible frameworks on defense cooperation, security and defense priorities.

The officials talked about geopolitical issues in their respective regions.

In a statement on Wednesday, Faustino said the Philippines sees South Africa as its potential partner in the African region.

Faustino likewise bared that they have tackled common defense and security challenges, particularly combatting terrorism, insurgency, and other internal and external security threats.

Meantime, Radebe-Netshitenzhe said the South Africa is willing to share its expertise with the Philippines should the country need it.

He added the South African government also wishes to acquire wisdom from the experiences of the Philippines in terms of defense and security operations.

Both sides reaffirmed interest in finalizing a framework to pave the way for pursuing areas of defense cooperation.

The officials also recalled the successful procurement projects of the Philippines with South Africa, related to modernizing and capacitating the armed forces.