Enhancing HADR Effectiveness in the Philippines: A Critical Analysis of the Philippine Air Force's Capabilities and Challenges

Abstract

This thesis provides an in-depth analysis of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities, set against the backdrop of the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters. The study evaluates the PAF’s strengths and challenges in HADR operations, highlighting the impact of asset condition, logistical coordination, and the need for technological modernization. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic effects, which have strained modernization efforts, the research offers strategic recommendations to enhance rapid response through fleet upgrades, improved logistics, procedural standardization, and the integration of advanced technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artificial intelligence (AI). These strategies aim to bolster the PAF’s HADR readiness and efficacy, with implications for both national preparedness and the broader field of military disaster response. Through this analysis, the thesis contributes to shaping informed military and policy decisions, with the potential to transform disaster response practices in the Philippines and similar high-risk regions.