BUSAN, Nov. 1 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. moved a step closer to realizing the Philippines' long-envisioned submarine capability, holding high-level talks with South Korean defense giant Hanwha Ocean on the sidelines of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit here.

The meeting centered on Hanwha's comprehensive proposal to support the Philippine Navy's submarine acquisition and operations, a key component of Marcos' Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) agenda amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Under the plan, Hanwha Ocean offered to assist in the construction of a dedicated submarine base, the establishment of a local maintenance, repair, and overhaul center, and the training of Filipino submarine ...