Philippines Eyes Wheeled and Tracked AFVs

The Philippine Army told Shephard Media as far back as 2014 that it harboured ambitions to procure main battle tanks within the 2020-28 period. However, a more realistic and immediate plan is to acquire lighter AFVs.

Thus, the army’s Horizon 2 procurement plan proposal (covering 2018-22) features light tanks with a budget allocation of PHP9.484 billion ($185 million). A total of 44 units are needed to equip three tank companies of the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) of the Philippine Army, which is based at Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac.

However, following the bloody urban combat in Marawi last year, Shephard understands that the desire for tracked tanks has been eclipsed by a requirement for wheeled armoured vehicles. Two types are being eyed: a tank destroyer armed with a 105mm gun, and a vehicle armed with a 30mm gun in an unmanned turret. Ideally, both vehicles would share a common 8×8 platform.

The Philippine-based MaxDefense blogsite explained that options for a wheeled tank destroyer from Europe, South Korea and Turkey are currently being considered.The requirement for a wheeled vehicle was made explicit when Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed last August that the army was interested in armoured vehicles weighing less than 20t.

If funds do not permit a 30mm gun, the army might have to settle for a 6×6 hull carrying an RWS armed with a 12.7mm machine gun.

Whichever company is selected for the wheeled requirement would find itself in pole position to supply the extant requirement for light tanks as well. Specifications have not been finalised by the army’s technical working group yet, but the preference is for a diesel-powered, tracked vehicle weighing less than 35t and armed with a 105mm gun.

Companies are already making proposals to the army.

Therefore, of the 44 AFVs required and funded, the army will probably opt for a mix of wheeled and tracked vehicles. MaxDefense believes the procurement process ‘may start late this year or early next year’.

Three TC-90s being transferred to Philippines in late March

Japan is preparing to transfer another three TC-90s to Philippines in the third week of March, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong Monday disclosed.

Philippines cancels order for 16 Bell 412EPI helicopters

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the cancellation of a $233.36 million deal to buy 16 Bell 412EPI helicopters from Canada.

Philippine troops in the ruins Malawi of the city

Hand to hand combat in urban environment of Malawi

Follow A New Force Hunting For Islamic Terrorists In The Philippines

Duterte Approves Funding for Transfer of Korean Corvette to Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the budget to fund the transfer of Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Flight III Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) to the Philippine Navy, this was revealed by MaxDefense Philippines on December 28, 2017.

According to MaxDefense, citing some sources, the announcement was made during the Offshore Combat Force’s year-end party over a week ago.

“Pres. Duterte is said to have signed the DBM recommendation and order to release funding for the transfer of the former ROKN Flight III Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju to the Philippine Navy worth Php250 million,” MaxDefense said in its social networking page.

“The officers, men and women to man it would be sent to South Korea by January 2018,” MaxDefense added.

“The PN would be getting the Chungju as it is, except for removal of some ROKN-only equipment and replacement of obsolete items like the navigation radar. But the ship in its pre-retirement form still has its 2 Oto Melara 76mm Compact guns, two twin Otobreda 40mm guns, two triple lightweight torpedo launchers, among others. The PN’s budget request also include acquisition of ammo for these guns,” MaxDefense said.

The Offshore Combat Force is operating under the Philippine Fleet of Philippine Navy.

Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps Getting 345 New Korean Military Trucks

The Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps will be getting new troop carriers after the Department of National Defense (DND) entered into government-to-government contract for the supply of Kia military trucks. The DND released to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Notice to Proceed in October for the supply of 227 units of KM250 2 1/2 ton truck modified as troop carrier and 10 KM250 2 1/2 ton trucks modified as wrecker for a total contract price of PHP1.419821 billion. Above mentioned military trucks will be delivered to Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, with great portion going to army.Kia KM-450 1,25 ton truck (photo: Kia)

Another Notice to Proceed was released to KOTRA for the supply of 108 KM450 1 1/4 ton trucks modified as troop carrier for Philippine Marine Corps for a total contract price of PHP313. 956 million. This government-to-government deal, signed in October, is between DND, KOTRA - trade and investment promotion organization operated by the government of South Korea, and Kia Motors Corporation as supplier.

Philippine Air Force Selects the A-29 Super Tucano for Close Air Support Role

Embraer announced today a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). After a comprehensive public bidding process participated by several manufacturers from around the globe and complying with the stringent evaluation processes the Super Tucano was selected as part of the PAF's ongoing modernization plan. The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgency missions. Deliveries will start in 2019.

"We are honored to be selected by the Philippine Air Force, our second operator in the Asia-Pacific region, and with the confidence expressed by our customer", said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "The Super Tucano is the best light attack aircraft in the market and we are confident that it will accomplish with excellence the missions it was selected for".

The A-29 Super Tucano is a durable, versatile and powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, even operating from unimproved runways. To date, the Super Tucano was selected by 14 air forces worldwide. Once the delivery of these aircraft is completed, they will be turned over to and maintained by the 15th Strike Wing, the PAF's end-user.

Philippine Navy commissions first TC-90 into service

The Philippine Navy commissioned the first of five TC-90s into service with an activation and blessing ceremony in Sangley Point, Cavite City on Nov. 21.

Russia Providing PH with AK-103s

The Russian government is expected to turn over 5000 units of Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-103 with a million ammunition on October 25.

Official announcement or confirmation is yet to be made but reliable sources say that Russia will be providing the AK-103 model of Kalashnikov rifle.

AK-103 uses the 7.62×39mm round. It can be fitted with night vision or telescopic sights, and a knife-bayonet or grenade launcher.

It was previously expected that Russia will provide the AK-101 which uses the 5.56×45mm NATO round.

Assault rifles in Philippine military service uses 5.56×45mm NATO round. Department of National Defense – Government Arsenal is also producing the NATO round.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced last week that Russia will be donating 5000 Kalashnikov rifles without providing specific model.

These Russian rifle and ammunition together with 20 military truck will be formally turned over on October 25.

Sharpeye Radar System for Philippine Navy

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have contracted Kelvin Hughes to supply I Band and E/F Band SharpEye™ radars.

The Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) was awarded to HHI in October 2016 to build two 2,600 ton frigates for hand over starting in 2020. Kelvin Hughes has announced it is to supply HHI two SharpEye™ navigation radars along with multifunction bridge radar displays for the Philippine Navy FAP.

This follows the announcement by Kelvin Hughes in September that HHI contracted the company to supply the Integrated Navigation Bridge System (INBS) for The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) Vessel.

The new naval vessels for the Philippine Navy are expected to have enhanced survivability, seakeeping and manoeuvring capability and be operable in up to Sea State 5 and also have stealth characteristics. The vessels (hull numbers P159 and P160) will be further complemented by the low Radar Cross Section (RCS) design of the upmast SharpEye™ radar sensor carbon fibre housing and antenna turning unit. What’s more the reduced probability of intercept by ESM equipment characteristic inherent from the SharpEye™’s 300W low power output further aligns to the requirements derived from the HHI HDF-3000 frigate design.


SharpEye Naval Radar

With its solid-state technology, SharpEye™ radar systems deliver an advanced pulse-compressed Doppler navigation and situational awareness capability that can provide early warning not only of the presence of larger vessels but also small targets and asymmetric threats with a low RCS such as RHIBs, small wooden boats, USVs and jet skis. Operating in I and E/F Band, the new radar will enable the ships to distinguish between genuine targets and environmental clutter even in the most adverse weather conditions.

Russia and Philippines Sign Contract for Delivery of Grenade Launchers

CLARK /Philippines/TASS/. Moscow and Manila have signed a contract for the delivery of the Russian-made RPG-7V grenade launchers and ammunition to the Philippines.

The contract was signed by Russia’s Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev and Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana in the presence of Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu.

The signing ceremony took place in the Philippines’ Clark, where the fourth meeting of defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners is being held.

Keven Hughes to Supply SharpEye Radar For Philippines Navy’s Frigates

Kelvin Hughes is to supply Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) two SharpEye navigation radars along with multifunction bridge radar displays for the Philippine Navy’s Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP).
The Philippine Navy FAP was awarded to HHI in October 2016 to build two 2,600 ton frigates for hand over starting in 2020.

The new naval vessels for the Philippine Navy are expected to be operable in up to Sea State 5 and also have stealth characteristics. The vessels (hull numbers P159 and P160), will be further complemented by the low Radar Cross Section (RCS) design of the upmast SharpEye radar sensor carbon fibre housing and antenna turning unit.

In addition the radar offers the reduced probability of intercept by ESM equipment characteristic inherent from the SharpEye’s 300W low power output further aligns to the requirements derived from the HHI HDF-3000 frigate design.

The SharpEye radar systems deliver an advanced pulse-compressed Doppler navigation and situational awareness capability that can provide early warning not only of the presence of larger vessels but also small targets and asymmetric threats with a low RCS such as RHIBs, small wooden boats, USVs and jet skis.

Operating in I and E/F Band, the new radar will enable the ships to distinguish between genuine targets and environmental clutter even in the most adverse weather conditions.

SharpEye transmits a low power, patented pulse sequence enabling short, medium and long range radar returns to be detected simultaneously. Doppler processing of radar returns provides coherent information concerning a target’s velocity and ensures the detection of very small and slow moving objects.

PH Marine Corps Plans to Get 87 Tactical Combat Vehicles

The Philippine Navy is planning to procure 87 new Armored Tactical Combat Vehicles for the Philippine Marine Corps in 2018 as part of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Second Horizon.

Second Horizon of the ongoing military modernization will start next year and will end 2022. The First Horizon is now on its final year.

According to MaxDefense Philippines, the Navy is allocating PHP2.610 billion for the acquisition of 87 new Armored Tactical Combat Vehicles.

“No specifications has been provided yet, but based on the budget alone we can assume that its a wheeled armored vehicle smaller than the Simba, but definitely larger than an armored Humvee or KIA Light Tactical Vehicle,” MaxDefense said.

MaxDefense added that the procurement of said vehicles may have born out of experience from fighting in Marawi City which mainly required urban warfare operations.

However, MaxDefense noted that “AFP’s procurement plans are so liquid that it keeps on changing.”

Inside The Fight Against ISIS In The Philippines

Philippine Army combat footage vs Maute ISIS in Marawi

Hope the soldier is doing well

Philippines’ fight against ISIS has left 1,000s with no place to go

Battle for Marawi: Philippines’ fight against ISIS has left 1,000s with no place to go https://t.co/1UxSpylN8z pic.twitter.com/jl7Hl8ze7g

— RT_Documentary (@RT_Doc) August 30, 2017

Philippine Air Force Personnel Train in US Air Base in Japan

A group of aircraft maintenance students from the Philippine Air Force and the USAF work together to remove the turbine from a C-130H Hercules training engine during an aircraft maintenance course on August 23, 2017, at Yokota AB. The course is the first bilateral Philippine U.S. Air Force aircraft maintenance class to be taught at Yokota by the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 15. (photos : USAF)

Learning Together – Philippine & U.S. Air Forces

Different uniforms, different languages, it made no difference as members of the Philippine Air Force and U.S. Air Force learned how to tear down and build up a C-130H Hercules engine during a training course conducted by the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 15.

Recently, the first class consisting of students from the Philippine and U.S. Air Force C-130H maintainers was conducted at the 374th Propulsion Flight hanger at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

The advanced training for C-130H Hercules maintainers in the Endo-Asia Pacific Region is done by a few members of the 373 TRS Det. 15. The instructors who teach the classes have different specialties in areas such as propulsion mechanics, avionics and electronics.

“This is the first time we have taught this class with students from the Philippine Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelica Ponce, 373 TRS Det. 15 aerospace propulsion instructor. “Aside from the different uniforms in the seats the class is no different.”

The course is an intermediate maintenance course where students learn how to take apart main engine components and put them back together.

“This is very important because we can get some new ideas with regards to the matters of the build of up of the engine,” said Philippine Air Force Technical Sgt. Eulogio Arong, 220th Airlift Wing maintenance specialist. “It’s quite different from our country so it is good to learn how other military’s complete their mission, and we can strengthen our relationship.”

According to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jacob Carmen, 373 TRS Det. 15 flight chief, a large part of the responsibility the U.S. Pacific Air Forces is to build and maintain a working relationship with the nations in the Pacific Region. This training strengthens bilateral relationships and interoperability between the two forces and sets a foundation for future engagements.

“The best part of this experience is seeing the students work together as a team,” said Ponce. “They work well together, and its great seeing them bond.”

For the students in the course it’s a unique experience.

“I’ve never worked side-by-side with anyone from a different country that’s also in the military. I think it’s awesome to have them here learning and it’s a good relationship builder between our two countries militaries.” said U.S. Airman 1st Class Foster Griffith, 374th Maintenance Squadron, aerospace propulsion apprentice and student. “I think it’s a really cool opportunity and I’m really happy to be a part of it.”

The Philippine Air Force students, have learned how to work on the C-130H engine and the various practices used by U.S. Air Force maintainers to ensure minimal error and highest efficiency standards.

“We will be taking what we learn here, the skills, the equipment, the practices and the organization of the shop and giving our supervision recommendations on how we can better our shop back home,” Philippine Air Force Airman 1st Class Alvin General, 220th Airlift Wing maintenance specialist.

According to Carmen through the professionalism and respect between the students to accomplish their common goal, they will be able to build a foundation of cooperation and friendship.

U.S. to officially hand over TARS to Philippine Navy on Aug. 22

The Philippine Navy confirmed that a Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) donated by the U.S. government will be officially handed over to the service on Aug. 22.

PH Air Force Men Complete Certification for Soon to be Delivered Aircraft

“The pilots and aircrews from the 220th Airlift Wing of the Philippine Air Force just completed their NC212i Pilot & Aircraft Type Ratings on 07 August 2017 at the Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO/WICC) in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia,” Pinoy Aviators said in its social networking page today.

The Philippine government entered a contract with the PT Dirgantara Indonesia-Indonesian Aerospace for the supply of two NC-212i aircraft early 2014.

These aircraft are now expected to be delivered within the second half of 2017, after facing some delays.

2 NC-212i aircraft will be operated by the Air Force’s 220th Airlift Wing.

C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built by CASA in Spain. Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) became a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) in 1999 as EADS CASA, and in 2009 EADS CASA was absorbed by Airbus Military.

At present, C-212s are also being produced under licence by Indonesian Aerospace under NC-212 family.