To further enhance its capability, the brand-new South Korean-made FA-50PHs must be equipped with modern air-to-air missiles at the soonest possible time.
This was disclosed by Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya who said the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) made jet planes must be armed with at least heat-seeking missiles to be effective in its proposed interception role.
"(Aside from 20mm cannons), the FA-50PHs must be armed with at least heat-seeking missiles," he said in Filipino.
As of this posting, President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin's request to enter into a "Multi-Year Contract" for seven acquisition projects which include munitions for the FA-50PHs.
"PNoy (President Aquino) has approved the request of DND for SND to be authorized to enter into Multi-Year-Contract. The approval will pave the way for the acquisition of two frigates for the Philippine Navy; anti-submarine helicopters and amphibious assault vehicle for PN; long-range patrol aircraft, close-air support aircraft, munitions for FA-50 and air surveillance for the Philippine Air Force," Department of National Defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, materiel and modernization Fernando Manalo earlier said.
Payment from the seven projects will run from 2015 to 2018.
Granting of the MYC will allow to pursue the military modernization program beyond Aquino's term.
Total value of the seven projects is about Php44 billion.
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