Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150) steams in a multinational formation during a photo exercise off the coast of Hawaii during the 2020 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, Aug. 21, 2020.

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) needs to do away with a 15-year modernization phase, which is “too long and too impracticable” as the country gears up for external ...