Cavite city: The Department of National Defense (DND) and the US Department of War (DoW) are exploring increased collaboration in ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, DND Assistant Secretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development Augusto Gaite and US DoW Regional Sustainment Framework Director Dr. Nelson Williams visited the Philippine Navy's Sea System Command (SSC) at Naval Station Pascual San Ledesma in Fort San Felipe, Cavite City. The visit took place on July 15, as per a news release on Friday.

SSC commander Rear Admiral Juario Marayag participated in an executive session with the visiting officials. The discussions centered on defense technology initiatives, sustainment strategies, and opportunities for capability development. The primary goal of the meeting was to conduct key leader engagements and assess collaboration opportunities with defense industrial base partners to advance MRO capabilities, according to the Philippine Navy.

During their visit, the delegation toured the SSC shipyard's industrial shops, dry-docking facilities, and shipbuilding facilities. They also explored the logistics center, Philippine Navy warehouses, and the SSC Museum, which provided them with a firsthand understanding of the Command's maintenance, repair, logistics, and sustainment capabilities.

The event underscored SSC's commitment to developing strategic partnerships that promote innovation, enhance defense sustainment capabilities, and contribute to building a more capable and self-reliant defense industry in support of the Philippine Navy.