Philippine Fleet to hold first drone warfare summit

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Philippine Fleet will host the first-ever Drone Warfare Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) from 27 to 29 October 2025.

According to the Philippine Navy, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. will be the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the opening ceremony. He will be joined by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Q. Ezpeleta, and Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Joe Anthony C. Orbe.

The summit, organized in partnership with Defense Expo Philippines, will be attended by local and international participants through exclusive invitations. A live drone demonstration will be held at Malawaan Park.

Delegates from Canada, Turkey, Spain, France, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Norway will showcase advanced unmanned systems technology.

Inside the SBECC, attendees will explore interactive booths, displays, and breakout sessions focused on drone warfare strategy, policy development, and the integration of unmanned systems into modern military operations.

The summit will also feature demonstrations of airborne drones, counter-drone defense systems, and land-based drone technologies used in surveillance, logistics, and tactical operations—highlighting their growing impact on modern warfare.

Through collaboration among military, industry, and academic participants, the Philippine Navy aims to strengthen capacity-building and promote the country’s role as a reliable and future-ready security partner in the Indo-Pacific region.