Why NATO’s Biggest Militaries Are Lining Up To Back the Philippines Against China | EP703

 

  

 

Attack Helos from US are Expensive, Philippine Gov’t Eyeing Attack Helicopters from Turkey

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the government is considering to purchase attack helicopters from Turkey.

In a television interview, Lorenzana said attack helicopters from the United States are expensive, adding that the country could not afford those assets especially at this time of health crisis.

"I don't know if we can afford that (US attack helicopters) now because of this pandemic. We're channeling a lot of funds to fight COVID..." Lorenzana told CNN-Philippines.

"We are looking at the Turkey's attack helicopters... It is under negotiation and we have not yet signed any contract with them because we are looking at their equipment further to ensure that what we have is what we need," he added.

It was on April 30 when the US State Department announced the approval of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Philippine government, which includes six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related military equipment for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.

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

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.

PH Completes Inspection of Raytheon for FA-50’s Air-to-Air Missiles

The Philippine has completed post qualification inspections for Raytheon Missile Systems Co. last week in United States for Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (F/SA/LIFT) Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project Lot 1.

According to MaxDefense Philippines, Raytheon is in the running to supply AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 Fighting Eagle aircraft.

“If the results are positive, it won’t be long before a Notice of Award will be provided,” MaxDefense said.

MaxDefense added that air-to-air missiles being acquired are also for “future aircraft capable of carrying and firing the missiles.”

However, MaxDefense noted the decrease in Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) for the F/SA/LIFT Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project Lot 1.


It noted that ABC was decreased to PHP 1.016 billion for unspecified number of AIM-9L/I-1 missiles including associated accessories and support, from PHP 2.636 billion for 312 missiles.

“Budget decrease was also made as the PAF opted to increase the budget to acquire AGM-65G Maverick missiles (Lot 2) instead, diverting almost half the original ABC for F/SAA/LIFT Munitioms Lot 1 to Lot 2,” MaxDefense said.

AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile (AGM) designed for close air support.

F/SA/LIFT Aircraft Munitions Acquisition Project is divided into several Lots. Lots 3 and 4 are for Countermeasures and 20mm Ammunition, respectively.

PH Now Checking Super Tucano, Embraer Facilities for CAS Aircraft Acquisition

“Post Qualification inspections on Embraer are now ongoing in Brazil after the aircraft manufacturer was declared the single lowest compliant bidder for the Philippine Air Force’s Close Air Support Aircraft acquisition under the Revised AFP Modernization Program Horizon 1 phase,” MaxDefense Philippines said in its social networking page.

MaxDefense added that being the only compliant bidder, Embraer should pass this process to avoid further delays in the project.

The said project, Close Air Support Aircraft Acquisition Project for the Philippine Air Force, already faced several delays in the past years.

“Embraer was determined as the lowest calculated bidder for the Close Air Support Project, but they still have to undergo and pass the post-qualification inspection to be awarded the contract,” the Department of National Defense (DND) told Update Philippines last month.

Post-qualification inspection includes the checking of manufacturer’s facilities and the aircraft offered which is the A-29 Super Tucano.

The said project will acquire six close air support aircraft to replace/complement the Air Force’s Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco” turboprop attack planes.

Hermes 900 over Luzon, Philippines

A Elbit Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicle was recently spotted flying over Luzon, Philippines.

Philippine Army and Philippine Marines Now has Dozen 155mm Towed Howitzers from Israel

A dozen of Israeli Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/39CAL Towed howitzers are now with the Philippine Army and Philippine Marines, each service having 6, according to MaxDefense Philippines who has sources from the military and defense community.

“Based on information we received, the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps are now in possession of all their ordered M-71 155mm/39 towed howtizers delivered by Soltam through Elbit C4 and Land Systems, as part of the AFP Modernization Program under the old RA 7898 of 1995, not under any of the newer Horizon phase,” MaxDefense Philippines said today in its social networking page.

The Department of National Defense (DND)-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) initiated the project to acquire twelve 155mm Towed Howitzer with 240 rounds of high explosive ammunition including an integrated logistics support package early 2015 with approved budget of PhP438.6 million.

Elbit won the bidding by submitting a bid of PHP410.84 million.

DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong revealed early last month that three of the 12 Israeli towed howitzers have arrived in April and the other nine were in transit.

Philippine Navy commissions 3 MPACs capable of being armed with Spike ER

The Philippine Navy has commissioned another three multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) into service at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City on May 22.

Philippine UH-1D crashes, 3 killed

Three people on board a Philippine Air Force UH-1D were killed when the helicopter crashed during a training mission in Tanay, Rizal on May 4.

Arrival of TC-90s in Philippines

The first two of five TC-90s that the Philippines leased from Japan arrived at Naval Base Haracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City on Mar. 27

Saab opens office in Philippines

Saab now has an office in Philippines and the Swedish Ambassador to Manila Harald Fries was invited to open the office.

First 2 TC-90s for Philippine to arrive on Mar. 27

The first two TC-90s for the Philippine will be flown to the country on Mar. 27, Vice Admiral Ronaldo Joseph Mercado of the Philippine Navy disclosed on Feb. 22.

2 More FA-50PH Jet Fighters Arrived

Philippine Air Force's FA-50PH nos. 005 and 006 upon arrival in Taiwan en route to the Philippines (photo : Han chia ho Peter)

FA-50PH with tail number 005 and 006 in Clark Air Base (photo : Rappler)

Arrival ceremony for Philippine Air Force’s fifth and sixth South Korea-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” (005 and 006) was conducted today in Clark Air Base, Pampanga. The ceremony started at 11 am. FA-50PH with tail number 005 touched down 11:05 am, while 006 touched down 11:07.

The Philippines has 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth PHP18.9 billion. FA-50PH aircraft are Mach 1.5 capable.

The 1st and 2nd FA-50PHs arrived in November 2015, while the 4th and 3rd arrived a year after. The remaining six aircraft on order are expected to be delivered within this year.

PAF’s FA-50PHs were recently blooded in combat during the surgical air and artillery strike that wounded Abu Sayyaf Group commander Isnilon Hapilon last January 26.

The FA-50PH has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles, aside from light automatic cannons.


It will act as the country’s interim fighter until the Air Force gets enough experience in operating fast jet assets and budget allocation for more capable fighter aircraft.

With the delivery of additional two South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jets, the Philippine Air Force now has six supersonic aircraft that can reach the speed of Mach 1.5 (1852.2 km/hour) or 1.5 times faster than the speed of sound.

FA-50PH with tail number 005 touched down 11:05 am in Clark Air Base, while 006 touched down at 11:07, February 22.

The Philippine Air Force ordered 12 units of FA-50PHs from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) worth 18.9 billion pesos.

The 1st and 2nd FA-50PHs arrived in November 2015, while the 4th and 3rd arrived a year after. The remaining six aircraft on order are expected to be delivered within this year.

These aircraft will act as the country’s interim fighter until the Philippine Air Force gets enough experience in operating fast jet assets and budget allocation for more capable fighter aircraft.


PAF’s FA-50PHs were recently blooded in combat during the surgical air and artillery strike that wounded Abu Sayyaf Group commander Isnilon Hapilon last January 26.

PH Submits Defense Equipment Wishlist to China

The Philippines has submitted to China the list of defense equipment it hopes Beijing can supply through a $14-million grant, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday, February 7,

"Na-formalize namin 'yan...Meron na tayong listahan doon eh (It has been formalized...We already have a list that is with them)," Lorenzana said in an interview with reporters in Malacañang on Tuesday, when asked about the list of defense equipment.

He said he gave the list of equipment to Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua "3 weeks ago."

Once China approves the funding, a representative of the Philippine government will go to China.

"Hindi pa kami nagpunta kasi binigay namin sa kanila 'yung listahan, na kung kaya nila ibigay 'yun, kung okay na, saka namin puntahan (We haven't gone there because we just gave them the list, so if they can supply the equipment, that's when we will go)," said Lorenzana.

Asked whether the wish list includes precision-guided munitions, Lorenzana said, "Yes." He added, "We asked for many things – boats, drones."

But in a text to Rappler, Lorenzana said the precision-guided munitions are in a list of equipment to be covered by a $500 million soft loan, not the $14 million grant.

He specified that the Philippines is asking for precision-guided munitions, not missiles, which are more "sophisticated."

Precision-guided munitions are satellite-guided munitions designed to hit a specific target. Lorenzana said PGMs will "lessen" casualties, compared to the use of unguided bombs.

Lorenzana bared the contents of the Philippines' defense wishlist to China even as he warned of that country's bid to build on a reef off the coast of the Philippines. (READ: China likely to build on reef near Philippines – minister)

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Lorenzana said he believed China would eventually reclaim Scarborough Shoal, just 230 kilometers (143 miles) from the main Philippine island of Luzon.

Meanwhile, the defense chief also said that the Philippines has not yet formalized any agreement with Russia, which has also expressed willingness to provide the Philippines with defense equipment.

"Russia, we don't have a framework to work with them," said Lorenzana, responding the questions.

A memorandum of understanding on military cooperation with Russia is expected to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte when he visits Russia in May, the defense chief said.

Asked what could be part of the agreement, Lorenzana said the Philippine and Russian militaries might agree to joint exercises and visitation of troops.

"Parang, military to military engagement, exercises, visitation, saka kasama na 'yung transfer of technology, transfer of equipment sa atin (Like military to military engagement, exercises, visitation, and it will inclde the transfer of technology, transfer of equipment to us)," he said.

KAI delivering two more FA-50PHs to Philippines

The second and third KAI FA-50PH advanced jet trainers for the Philippine Air Force arrived at Kaohsiung international airport, Taiwan at 14:00 local time on Nov. 30.

Photo of Hyundai frigates for Philippines released by the Korean shipbuilder

Philippine hopes to acquire 36 more FA-50PHs

The Philippine Air Force is hoping to acquire 36 FA-50PH fighter jets from KAI, a senior PAF officer told Jane’s.

The official said the procurement is needed “to meet a requirement specified in Flight Plan 2028 to “detect, intercept, and neutralise” any perceived threat in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).”

Thales sees potential in selling Starstreak MANPADS to Philippine

An executive from Thales told Jane’s at the Asian Defence and Security 2016 (ADAS 2016) exhibition in Manila that the French company sees “lots of potential” in selling its Starstreak MANPADS to Philippines.