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.

Design Review Finalized for Philippine Coast Guard Patrol Vessels

A design review for two new multi-role response vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been finalized, ramping up its patrol vessels fit for maritime law enforcement and security.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently handed over to the Department of Transportation (DOTR) the final report of the design review of the new 94-meter patrol vessels under the JICA-Philippine cooperation Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase II for the Coast Guard.

With the design review, the transportation department can now conclude the bid documents for the construction of the additional vessels, a component of the 16.455 billion yen Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from Japan.

“JICA has been supporting the PCG for the past decades and we’re looking forward to the completion of this assistance to ramp up design of the patrol vessels the PCG can use for maritime law enforcement and security,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

Under the project’s first phase, JICA has already provided six of the 10 middle-sized MRRVs and are now deployed in Philippine sea waters.

The recent one, BRP Malabrigo, succeeded in the rescue mission in Zamboanga when a passenger vessel encountered engine trouble this month.

The cooperation between JICA and the Philippines for maritime safety is meant to address rising maritime accidents due to the increase in passenger volume, aging vessels, and natural disasters, JICA said in a statement.

Under the project, training for PCG personnel on vessel operation and maintenance in Japan and in the Philippines will also be conducted.

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

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 Donates 5.000 Units of Kalashnikov Rifles, 20 Trucks to PHL

President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine and Russian defense ministers on Monday witnessed the turnover of military equipment from Russia.

The Philippines received 20 trucks, 5,000 units of AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifles, one million units of 1943-type cartridges with steel core bullets, and 5,000 units of steel helmets.

Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante and Major General Aleksandr Kshimovksiy of the main department for international military cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense signed the certificate of donation.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu witnessed the turnover at the Port of Manila.

Duterte also toured the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Pantaleev to check its air defense system and wardroom.

The Russians also showcased the ship's firearms and conducted an artillery demonstration during Duterte's tour.

On Tuesday, Lorenzana and Shoigu signed an agreement for military and technical cooperation, according to a report by Tass Russian News Agency.

The report said the agreement was signed in Clark, Pampanga.

ASEAN defense ministers and dialogue partners gathered in Clark for the fourth ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting with the Dialogue Partners

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.”

PHILIPPINES - Pro-Islamic State Leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute Killed In Marawi

#PHILIPPINES#GRAPH
Pro-#IslamicState Social Media Accounts Eulogizes Of Its Leaders
Isnilon Hapilon & Omar Maute Who Killed In #Marawi. pic.twitter.com/pUt9YTg5FQ

— Terrormonitor.org (@Terror_Monitor) October 16, 2017

Inside The Fight Against ISIS In The Philippines

Philippine Army combat footage vs Maute ISIS in Marawi

Hope the soldier is doing well

Philippine forces using 105mm M101 howitzer in a direct fire role in the urban battle for Marawi

Philippine forces using 105mm M101 howitzer in a direct fire role in the urban battle for Marawi. Geez pic.twitter.com/5E0OctPXqj

— Mike Yeo 杨启铭 (@TheBaseLeg) September 20, 2017

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