Max Montero

Retired Philippine Navy officer.
Naval Projects Associate Consultant.
Defense Writer focused on PH & IndoPacific.
Editor - MaxDefense PH & PH Defense Resource

[Japan Joint Staff @JapanJointStaff]

On May 29th, #CSJJS Gen UCHIKURA signed the Terms of Reference for the defense cooperation council with ADM Paparo 🇺🇸, ADML Johnston 🇦🇺, and GEN Brawner Jr. 🇵🇭 during the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

@D162Michele Dumb girl, you have no arguement so just claim "a nation of war criminals"? Yoy love China so much but here you are in X which is not even allowed in China. You better stfu.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The only major illegal maritime delineation in the region is this - China's absurd 10-Dash Line. It is so illegal that no country, not even Russia, support China's claim. And the Communists stole the idea from the Nationalist, who doesn't even claim this crap anymore.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

Chinese propagandists are trying to mislead people by writing nonsense that both Japan and the Philippines' plans to settle maritime delimitation is absurd since there's no overlap. Regardless Taiwan's own claims are included or excluded, there is Philippine - Japan EEZ overlap.

[Global Times @globaltimesnews]

#Editorial: There is no maritime area between Japan and the Philippines where delimitation can be discussed. For the two countries to discuss "maritime delimitation" across China is an extraordinary and almost unprecedented absurdity. https://t.co/619Cq8dGlX

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

Among those we expect to be considered would be South Korea's K808 White Tiger and Tigon, Turkiye's Arma and Pars, and probably some European models like Pandur 2, and another one which we'll discuss separately.

3/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The Philippine Navy has raised a public tender for 5 new 8x8 armored personnel carriers for its Peacekeeping Operations unit. Specs are basic STANAG 2 armor, fording capability, only weapon mount for HMG. Budget of Php500m. Typical UN PKO basic requirements only. But....
1/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

...it could also be a test buy for the Philippine Navy as the Marines are looking for new Amphibious Assault Vehicles and are open to wheeled 8x8 platforms considering the KAAV's end of production. As long as 8x8 APC can be uparmed, uparmored and technically enhanced.

2/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The 🇵🇭Philippine Coast Guard held a Send-off ceremony for the men and women of BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) as it sails for Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC 2026.

The PCG is the first overseas coast guard organization to participate in the US-hosted multilateral exercises.

[evelynzmacairan @EZMacairan]

Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan led the send-off ceremony for the BRP Gabriela Silang that would take part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2026 that will take place in Hawaii.@PhilippineStar

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

@BeijingDai All you do is trash talk. Come on PLA, make your move then.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The 🇵🇭Philippine Navy held its Send-off Ceremony for the men and women of the Miguel Malvar-class frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) as it sails to Hawaii to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 multilateral naval exercises.

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

The Philippine Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar departs Subic, Zambales en route to Hawaii with more than 138 personnel aboard to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2026, the world’s largest maritime warfare exercise, bringing together military forces from around the globe. | via @michael_delizo

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

4. Announcement of joint intent to demarcate Philippine and Japanese Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and continental shelves in the Western Pacific, including those overlapping each other.

China has already said this is "illegal".

📷Geopolitical Intelligence Services
4/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The State Visit of 🇵🇭PH Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr to 🇯🇵Japan resulted in the following defense-related agreements:

1. Elevation of relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, closest ever short of a mutual alliance representing a deeper, multi-faceted alliance.
1/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

3. Confirmation on transfer of Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, Beechcraft TC-90 King Air aircraft, Type 88 land-based anti-ship missile systems, and "potentially" the Type 03 Chu-SAM medium range surface-to-air missile system to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
3/x

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

Been busy over the past week and missed posting on a lot of updates and issues. We'll be doing a recap later.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

@PLA_MilitaryUpd So why Russia has not erased Kyiv then? You and your big mouth.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

1st of 2 LPDs for the Philippine Navy.

[DefenArt @DefenArt]

Progress Pembangunan LPD Philipine Navy
Source PT PAL

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

@PLA_MilitaryUpd @handzar7 @ChinaMilBugle From Chinese State Media? It means it bullcrap, never happened. Fake news.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

@tHisisME4500 Just follow our FB page, we normally post anything that's worth posting.

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

The 🇵🇭Philippine Air Force officially inducts first two 🇨🇦🇯🇵Bell 412EPX combat utility helicopters into service with the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. A total of 8 helicopters were ordered, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2027.
📷PAF

[Max Montero @MonteroMax]

Army units from 🇵🇭PH, US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand took part in the Air Assault drills as part of Exercise Salaknib 2026 Phase 2, from Capas, Tarlac to Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Exercise was undertaken under Joint Pacific Readiness Center Exportable (JPMRC-X) program.