Philippine troops in the ruins Malawi of the city

Hand to hand combat in urban environment of Malawi

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 Military In Heavy Clashes With ISIS Affiliates During Battle Over Control Of Marawi

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.

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.

Philippines Air Force confirmed that 1 of their 7 operational PZL W-3A Sokol helicopters crashed in Puerto Princessa

Philippines DND and HHI to Sign P16-B Fregate Agreement

The Department of National Defense (DND) and a South Korean firm are set to sign a multibillion-peso deal for the purchase of two ships for the Navy, the first military contract to be inked under the Duterte administration.

The agency issued a notice of award to Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc. last Aug. 18 and a contract could be signed this month for the two new frigates, DND public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong told The STAR yesterday.

The notice of award is a document that declares a supplier as the winning bidder. It was formally accepted by Hyundai Heavy Industries last Wednesday.

“We were informed though that anytime this week, officials from Hyundai will be arriving in Manila to receive and review the Notice of Award,” Andolong said.

“Ten days after the formal receipt … the notice to proceed and contract for the project will be signed,” he added.

The P16-billion ships acquisition project is one of the biggest items in the military’s modernization program. It aims to enhance the Philippines’ territorial defense and disaster response capabilities.

Four companies submitted bids for the project: Hyundai, Indian firm Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia S.A. and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co.

Navantia and Daewoo were disqualified because of their failure to meet some technical requirements.

Garden Reach offered to supply the two frigates for P15.08 billion while Hyundai’s bid was P15.74 billion. Garden Reach was declared the lowest bidder but was disqualified during the post-qualification phase because of its failure to meet some financial requirements.

“Per government procurement law, if it is determined at the outset that the bidder has no financial capacity or it has financial capacity but its resources are thinly spread throughout too many ongoing contracts, it will not be allowed to participate in the bidding process,” Andolong said.

HDF-2000H is derivative and second generation of HDF-2000 with helicopter landing deck and hangar, applying stealth technology (image : HHI)

Hyundai, the company that offered the second lowest bid, was considered and was able to meet the post-qualification requirements.

“After the contract has been signed by both parties, DND will issue a notice to proceed for Hyundai to fulfill its contract obligation within the specified period of time,” Andolong said.

Qustioned from STX

A South Korean firm, however, questioned the DND’s decision to divide the frigate acquisition project into two components.

STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. said the project, which was originally priced at P18 billion was divided into the bidding for the two vessels and their weapon system and the bidding for ammunition.

STX, one of the companies that expressed interest to join the bidding, said the Philippine government “shall be grossly disadvantaged with the modification in the bid structure, aside from committing a serious violation of the country’s existing procurement laws.”

“Splitting the Authorized Budget of Contract (ABC) and the items to be bid out after the first stage of the bidding, and before the second stage, is tantamount to changing the terms and conditions of the bid in the middle of the game,” the company said in a statement.

According to the company, the bidders were made to believe that the approved budget of contract is P18 billion and the items for bidding are the vessels, weapons system and ammunition.

“It is thus unfair for everyone, especially for those who failed to pass the initial stage, to have the terms substantially changed when the bid has already been submitted,” STX Korea said.

The Korean firm believes that the DND Bids and Awards Committee purposely split the project to make it appear that the winning bidder has offered the lowest price, now at P16 billion for the two vessels alone.

“One major effect of such modification is that there would be limited number of possible bidders for the ammunition considering that launchers are usually tailor fitted for certain kinds of ammunition.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Acquire 145 Units of Reflex Sights

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is allocating the sum of PHP4,177,450 for the acquisition of 145 units of reflex sights.

The latter is optical device that allows the user to look through a partially reflecting glass element and see an illuminated projection of an aiming point or some other image superimposed on the field of view.

The items will be attached to some of the assault rifles in its inventory.

Bid opening is on July 21, 9:00 a.m. at the General Headquarters-Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, 3/F Bulwagang Syquio, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, BAC GHQ analyst Dona May DC Tauro said in a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

Winning bidders must be able to deliver the items within 140 calendar days.

US and Philippine military hold static display at Clark Air Base Balikatan 16

Pacific Marines are fielding HIMARS batteries at Balikatan Ex for the 1st time

|@PacificMarines are fielding #HIMARS batteries at @BalikatanEx for the 1st time - #Balikatan @TeamAFP pic.twitter.com/jMjKpnd8cb

— U.S. Pacific Command (@PacificCommand) April 8, 2016

Philippine Navy (PN) Formally Receives 3 Aussie LCHs

The last three LCHs (landing craft heavies), out of the five pledged by the Australian Government to the Philippines, have finally arrived in Liloan, Cebu City last March 26.

This was announced by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in an interview Monday.

The ships were transported aboard a cargo vessel of the NTG Shipping. Two of the LCHs were picked up in Darwin and another one in Cairns, Australia.

The LCHs were off-loaded in Liloan, Cebu 10: 30 a.m. last March 26.

Lincuna said the vessels will be moved from Cebu to the PN shipyard in Sangley Point, Cavite by mid-May, in time for the Navy's 118th founding anniversary.

The LCHs are former ships of the Royal Australian Navy and identified as the HMAS Balikpapan (L-126), HMAS Wewak (L-130) and HMAS Betano (L-133).

The three are sisters to BRP Ivatan (formerly HMAS Tarakan) and BRP Batak (ex-HMAS Brunei) which were commissioned into PN service last August 10, 2015.

The first two LCHs were donated by the Australian Government to the Philippines in November 2014.

The three were sold for the "friendship price "of PHP270 million.

"With their capability of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment, these vessels will bolster the PN's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations (HADR). They will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another especially during amphibious operations," Lincuna stressed.

Correspondingly, the PN initiated necessary preparations and other training activities last year to ensure the competent crewing of these ships which will be validated once they assume their posts.

The operational readiness training is deemed to be dynamic and adaptable to changes. At present, more or less 30 PN personnel are assigned aboardship while the vessel will undergo minor repairs and refurbishment, including the fitting of .50 caliber machine guns as defensive weaponry.

"The acquisition of additional capabilities of our Navy further translates into offering better service to our maritime nation as we continue to protect our country, step up commitment for HADR and our continuing pledge to provide assistance to our Filipino people in all corners of the archipelago. These new assets are manifestations of our Navy’s optimum readiness to perform its tasks and the ability to adapt vis-a-vis the emergent operating environment," he added.

LCHs are an extremely versatile vessel, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from larger ships to shore.

A very shallow draft (two meters) allows these ships to deliver personnel and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable especially during HADR missions.

It is an all-welded twin-screw vessel, able to trans-ship cargo and supplies from ships lying offshore to water terminals or across the beach.

Maximum cargo load is governed by the load-fuel balance and varies between 140 and 180 tons.

A typical load of 175 ton gives the LCHs a range of 1,300 nautical miles, increasing to 2,280 nautical miles for a load of 150 tons.

Up to five shipping containers with HADR supplies and equipment can also be embarked.

LCHs have a draft of two meters, length of 44.5 meters, beam of 10.1 meters and displacement of 364 tons.

It has a speed to 10 to 13 knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles and a crew of 15. 

Philippines gives U.S. access to five airfields

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-usa-philippines-idUSKCN0WK2DA

The United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Friday allowing for a rotating U.S. military presence at five Philippine bases under a security agreement inked amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea.

A joint statement after an annual U.S.-Philippines Strategic Dialogue listed the sites as Antonio Bautista Air Base, close to the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Basa Air Base north of Manila, Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Lumbia Air Base in Mindanao and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Amy Searight said the deal was reached under a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that grants Washington increased military presence in its former colony through rotation of ships and aircraft for humanitarian and maritime security operations.

Searight told the meeting Manila was a "critical U.S. ally" and ties had never been stronger. She said U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter would visit the Philippines in April to discuss implementation of the agreement.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg told reporters movements of supplies and personnel to the base locations would take place "very soon."

He described the agreement, valid for an initial 10 years, as "a pretty big deal," that would allow for a greater U.S. presence as part of the U.S. rebalance to Asia and enhance the alliance with the Philippines.

However, he stressed that it did not allow for permanent U.S. bases that existed for 94 years until 1991, when the Philippine Senate voted to evict them.

"This isn't a return to that era. These are different reasons and for 21st century issues, including maritime security," he said, adding that all U.S. deployments would require Philippine approval.

The United States is keen to boost the military capabilities of East Asian countries and its own regional presence in the face of China's assertive pursuit of territorial claims in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest trade routes.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said Friday's agreement came at an important time ahead of a ruling in a case the Philippines has brought against China over its South China Sea claims in the International Court of Arbitration in the Hague.

On Thursday, the U.S. Navy said it had seen activity around a reef China seized from the Philippines nearly four years ago that could be a precursor to more Chinese land reclamation in the South China Sea.

In an interview with Reuters, Navy chief Admiral John Richardson also expressed concern that the Hague ruling, which is expected in late May, could prompt Beijing to declare a South China Sea exclusion zone.

Searight said the Pentagon had told the U.S. Congress of its intention to provide $50 million to help build regional maritime security. She said the Philippines would get "the lion’s share" of the funds, which are expected to go toward improving radar and other South China Sea monitoring capabilities.

Philippine FA-50PH pilots will get to dogfight against Hawker Hunters during Balikatan 2016

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/201994/us-jet-pilots-to-train-pinoys.html

AMERICAN fighter pilots will be training Filipino jet pilots beginning with the annual Balikatan military exercises next month, the military said Thursday.

For the first time, the two FA50 “Golden Eagle” jets that the country purchased from South Korea will be used in air maneuvers exercises with US Air Force A10 “Thunderbolts” and British Hawker Hunter,  said Philippine Air Force spokesman Colonel Enrico Canaya.

“But first our pilots will be trained inside the classroom. This is definitely a good opportunity for us to increase and enhance our training, especially with our counterparts. This will further increase our training experience. This is a good development on our side,” Canaya said.

“They will also do the theoretical aspect and the practical exercises,” Canaya said, noting that the training will involve air interceptions, combat manuevers and close air support.

Canaya also said all the country’s Aermacchi S211 trainer jets will also participate in the maneuvers with the Golden Eagle, Thunderbolt and Hawker Hunter.

He said the jet fighter training will be in Luzon, but he declined to specify the areas. Traditionally, however, air strike exercises have usually been held in Crow Valley in Tarlac.

Another air force source part of the maneuvers may also be held in the northern part of the West Philippine Sea, but “I don’t know if it includes the vicinity of the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Masinloc, Zambales.”

This is the first time the PAF will be fielding supersonic aircraft to the Balikatan exercises since the decommissioning of its Northrop F-5 “Tiger” jet fighter fleet in 2005. The Philippines and the US have been holding the Balikatan exercises since 2002.

Prior to the delivery of the first two FA-50PHs last Nov. 28, PAF presence in Balikatan air maneuvers consist of its sub-sonic Marchetti-SIAI S-211 jet trainers along with its Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco” attack aircraft and various models of the UH-IH “Huey” combat utility helicopters and MG-520 attack choppers.

The Philippines has a 12-plane order from Korea Aerospace Industries worth PHP18.9 billion. Deliveries of the remaining 10 aircraft are expected by 2017.

Opening ceremonies for Balikatan 2016 are slated for April 4, followed by several training events throughout the 12-day exercise while closing ceremony is scheduled to be held April 15, said Balikatan 2016 spokesperson Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson.

“Balikatan” is an annual Philippine-US military bilateral training exercise that is a signature element of the Filipino-American alliance focused on a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. 

Philippine Navy breaks ground for Fleet-Marine Detachment Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City

The Philippine Navy breaks ground for Fleet-Marine Detachment Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City. To help safeguard the city...
Posted by MaxDefense - Philippine and Asian Defense Issues on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

2 FA-50PH, 3 C-295M, 8 AW-109E, 8 Bell 412EP, 11 UH-1D. That's 32 aircraft. You can also the 2 NC-212i that are...
Posted by MaxDefense - Philippine and Asian Defense Issues on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Philippine looking at getting air defense communication equipment from Slovenia

The Philippine military is looking into acquiring new maritime and air defense communication equipment from Slovenia amid the continuing presence of Chinese patrol vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

This was among the topics discussed during the meeting between Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo and a Slovenian delegation led by Secretary of State Ales Cantarutti in Intramuros, Manila, on Thursday.

"When we talk of maritime defense, we're talking of brigades. We're talking of sensors that must be installed in brigades. We're talking of anti-submarine helicopters. We're talking of stategic vehicles. We're talking of amphibious assault vehicle. We're talking of other system that is needed to protect our territories," Manalo said.

Cantarutti, who also heads Slovenia's Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, was in the country to discuss business opportunities including those involving their defense products.
Although the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have denied reports indicating China has already occupied Quirino Atoll—an area near Palawan that is clearly within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone—the DFA said Chinese presence in the area may cause additional tension.

Manalo said although there are no new sightings of Chinese vessels in the Quirino formation, the country must be ready to secure its territory at all times.
"When we talk of naval maritime defense we talk about brigade, we talk about missiles, we talk about any other countries will ask in order to secure its integrity," he said.

Manalo said the timing of Cantarutti's visit was "perfect" as the Philippines is now aggressively looking and canvassing for defense products to complete the requirements as part for the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Modernization Program.
Manalo said the DND will propose a higher budget for the program in the next few years.
For the year 2017, Manalo said the budget proposal for the program will reach up to P25 billion. He said this could reach P40 billion in 2020.

"Tthe budget proposal for the modernization will increase from P20 billion in 2016 up to P50 billion somewhere in 2025," he said.

The DND, however, clarified that the AFP Modernization Program and their active search for new defense equipment are not meant to provoke any country.
Manalo also said Slovenia is just one of the countries and corporations that are being considered as sources of defense supplies by the Philippines.

Cantarutti, for his part, said they have enough resources to supply the needs of the AFP.
"Slovenia has quite a strong cluster of companies that produce services or I should say solution and products for defense industry and in retrospect I think this could be an opportunity also for increase in cooperation between the Philippines and Slovenia," he said.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Island served as host for the Slovenian delegation in cooperation with the DFA

First FA-50PH for the Philippine Air Force arrive home

Philippines Push For Military Modernization in New Budget Proposal

The Philippine government is planning a 25 percent increase is in the a portion of its 2016 defense budget dedicated to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in order to reinforce its military assets in the South China Sea, According to the AFP.

The AFP modernization program within the core Department of National Defense (DND) budget is set to increase is from P15 to P25 billion ($ 552 million) in 2016. According to Florencio Abad, the current Secretary of the Philippine Department of Budget and Management, this would constitute the highest-ever increase is in spending for military modernization in over two Decades.

The 2016 defense budget is expected to rise by 16.3 percent to P115.8 billion ($ 2.5 billion) with total defense spending - Including acquisitions and pensions unprogrammed - set to increase is to P174.6 billion ($ 3.8 billion), According to IHS Jane's Defence Weekly.

Abad told AFP that the proposed 2016 defense budget is part of a five-year, P75 billion military modernization plan approved by President Benigno Aquino Aquino in 2013; but this may not be enough According to the data compiled by the Philippine Star, the which indicates that a total of P90.86 billion will be needed to finance the military's upgrade program until 2017. This does not include the data around $ 50 million in direct military aid from the United States.

In detail, the 2016 funds will be used to purchase two frigates, two twin-engine long-range patrol aircraft, three aerial surveillance radars, and the first two out of a total of 12 FA50 light fighter jets ordered from South Korea , According to the Philippine Star, the overall modernization program includes:

[T] he acquisition of six close air support aircraft, P4.97 billion; multi-purpose attack craft project, P864.32 million; two C-130 aircraft, P1.6 billion; two naval helicopters, P5.4 billion; and lead-in fighter trainer jets ammunition, P4.47 billion.

So far, 55 military upgrade projects worth P11.71 billion have completed since 2010. The military modernization program is partially driven by the ongoing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). "We need to protect what is clearly within our territorial jurisdiction. Certainly, we need to at least be Able to Effectively monitor the developments in the area, par- ticularly Reviews those in disputed zones, "Abad told AFP.

However, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin emphasized that there will only be limited budgetary resources available for the ongoing modernization effort , "The goal of updating and modernizing our armed forces is a long and painstaking process. That means we have to be frugal and acquire reliable platforms at very reasonable costs ... as allowed by our Meager financial resources, "he said. 

8 Brand-New Bell-412EPs, 2 Attack AW-109E Turned Over to Philippine Air Force

Eight brand-new Bell-412EPs combat utility helicopters and two attack versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109Es were formally turned over to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Monday morning.The joint formal acceptance and blessing ceremonies took place at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said the delivery and acceptance of the eight Bell-412EPs completes the "Combat Utility Helicopter Aircraft Acquisition Project" under the PAF modernization amounting to Php4.8 billion negotiated with the Bell Textron Helicopter of Canada who started their delivery by batch last June.

Five of the Bell-412EPs will be assigned to the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing (THW) while three Bell-412EPs will be assigned to the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing with a blue-white paint scheme and configured similar to their existing Bell-412s to be used for the transport of VIPs in the upcoming APEC Summit.Eventually, the three Bell-412EPs of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing will be transferred to 205th THW after the APEC summit.

With its four-bladed main rotor and twin-engine design and night capability, it provides better performance and better capability for the PAF in providing heli-lift operations for combat support and in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.On the other hand, the two Augusta Westland AW-109Es are the first batch to be turned over to the Air Force while six more will follow to complete the PAF’s eight "Attack Helicopter Aircraft Acquisition Project".

The night capable AW-109Es will be assigned to the 15th Strike Wing and will perform the role similar to their existing MD-520MG in conducting closed-air support, armed air reconnaissance, forward air control and armed escort.The AW-109Es are armed with .50 caliber machine gun pods and rocket launchers.It was supplied by AugustaWestland of Italy after winning a public bidding with contract price of Php3.4 billion for the eight AW-109Es.It is the same aircraft platform acquired by the Philippine Navy (PN) with a slightly different equipment package.

Having similar aircraft with the PN is advantageous since it allows commonality in operation, training and maintenance procedures, Canaya said.He added the PAF is still waiting for the arrival of the remaining six AW-109Es, two C-295M medium-lift aircraft from Spain, two CN-212i light-lift aircraft from Indonesia and two FA-50 lead-in fighter aircraft from South Korea which are all expected before the year ends.