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.

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.

T 50A Begins Flight Operations in Greenville, South Carolina

The Lockheed Martin T-50A is soaring over Greenville, South Carolina with flight operations now underway. The initial test flight took place Nov. 19. The T-50A was announced as the official Lockheed Martin/Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) offering for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training (APT)/T-X competition in February, and Greenville was announced as the final assembly and checkout facility (FACO).

Philippine Air Force

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.

The Philippines Mulls Acquisition of US Rocket Launchers

The Philippines is considering to acquire an advanced US long-range rocket launcher amid China’s sweeping expansion in the disputed South China Sea.

The US Marines showcased its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on Thursday in Tarlac, in front of top Philippine defense and military officials and US representatives, as part of the US-PH live fire drills for this year’s Balikatan exercises.

“This is something new actually, in the procurement systems and even our items for consideration now because I know the authorities of the military would like to have a good look at it and maybe a better consideration coming up with one,” exercise director for the Philippine side and Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said.

“We have seen the capability, highly mobile, lethal so I think that’s one of the capability we want to have,” he added.

The Philippine government earlier included an equipment similar to the HIMARS in its modernization program, the Shore-Based Missile System worth P6.5 billion, but was realigned by then Army commander and now Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri in favor of helmets, rifles and night goggles for the Philippine Army.

Lopez said after the live fire drills that they were all impressed of the HIMARS. “Even the Secretary of the National Defense was impressed on how the HIMARS was used and how it moved in a rapid fashion.”

The HIMARS can be used for any threat and is highly mobile, he explained.

Lt. Gen. John Toolan, the US Marine Corps Pacific commander and counterpart of Lopez in the Balikatan, said that the system has a range of 300 kilometers, and they are looking at testing it off the deck of the ship.

“You have seen the capability of the HIMARS and in a long shot we need this kind of of capability so we can raise the skills and respect for your armed forces, not only for the Philippines but within our region,” he said.

Asked if the HIMARS would be deployed to the country, Tooland said: “You know as allies we need to work together and I think that we’ll be more happy to share.”

More Ships, Planes, Combat Gear for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2016

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expecting more assets to be added to its inventory in 2016 amid its efforts to build a minimum credible defense.

The military’s boost of assets occurs in the wake of China’s sweeping expansion in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Some of the assets expected in 2016 include the Philippine Navy’s first strategic sealift vessels (SSVs) due to arrive in May.

The government has earlier ordered two SSVs from Indonesia worth P3.87 billion from the AFP modernization fund. As of mid-December, the first vessel is 87 percent complete, Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said recently.

The other SSV, also under construction, will be delivered to the Philippines in 2017.

IHS Jane’s, British publishing company which specializes in defense topics, said that these vessels have a full load displacement of 11,583 tons. It can indicate a crew complement of 121 and a lift capacity for 500 troops. It can also accommodate up to two medium helicopters on its flight deck.The SSVs have a maximum range of 9,360 nautical miles, a top speed of 16 knots and an endurance of 30 days.

Two C-130 cargo planes from the United States, which were acquired through excess defense articles, are also expected in the first quarter of 2016. This will be added to the three operational C-130s in the Air Force inventory.

Two light-lift aircrafts from PT Dirgantara Indonesia worth P814 million are also expected to arrive in 2016. It will complement the Nomad and Islander planes used in transport of troops and cargo, maritime patrol, airborne operations or search and rescue.

Two more brand new FA-50 fighter jets, part of the dozen acquired by the Philippine government, will arrive in 2016. The first two already arrived last December and the rest are expected in the next two years.

This project is the biggest capability upgrade of the AFP at P18.9 billion. It comes 10 years after the Air Force retired its F-5 fighters.

Some of the other assets expected in 2016 are amphibious assault vehicles, radios and mortars. Night fighting systems for the Philippine Army worth P1.1 billion for 4,464 sets are also expected in 2016.Also to watch out for is the possibility of the arrival of a Hamilton-class cutter, the same type as the Navy’s current biggest ships, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar and a research vessel pledged by US President Barack Obama during his visit in Manila last November.

2015

In 2015, the Air Force returned to supersonic age for the first time in 10 years with the delivery of the first two of 12 FA-50s. Other assets delivered were eight brand new combat utility helicopters, eight attack helicopters, two naval choppers, three brand new medium-lift air planes and over a hundred armored personnel carriers.

The Navy also received two landing craft heavy from Australia.

Last November, President Benigno Aquino III approved the “multi-year-contract” worth an estimated P44 billion for seven projects that was requested by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. These are two frigates, anti-submarine helicopters, amphibious assault vehicles for the Navy, munitions for the FA-50s, close-air support aircraft, air surveillance and long-range patrol aircraft.

“The  delivery of these new assets is expected to be completed by 2017 or early 2018,” Fernando Manalo, Department of National Defense undersecretary for finance, munitions, material and modernization told INQUIRER.net.

Philippines in record defence spending plan amid China tensions

The Philippines plans to spend a record 25 billion pesos (Dh2 billion or $552 million) next year mainly to bolster its claims in the disputed South China Sea, officials said on Tuesday.The proposed 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino is to present to parliament for approval on Monday, would allot funds to acquire navy frigates and patrol aircraft, budget and defence officials said.

“We need to protect what is clearly within our territorial jurisdiction,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said, when asked if the increase was due to the Philippines’ maritime row with China.“Certainly, we need to at least be able to effectively monitor the developments in the area, particularly those in disputed zones,” he added.Under the three-trillion-peso budget bill, defence spending would be 25 per cent higher than the 20-billion-peso military budget last year and five times bigger than in 2013, the officials said.The proposed 2016 defence budget is part of a five-year, 75-billion-peso military modernisation programme approved by Aquino in 2013, Abad said.

The amount would still be dwarfed by China, which claims most of the South China Sea including areas close to the shores of its Asian neighbours.Beijing budgeted $142.9 billion for its military this year.One of the region’s most poorly equipped, the Philippine military relies on half-century old ships and aircraft keeping watch over the South China Sea, where tensions have flared recently.
The Philippine military’s mission to protect the country’s territory is complicated by long-running communist and Muslim insurgencies that forces it to devote troops and equipment for internal security.

While China has gone on an island-building frenzy to reinforce its claims on South China Sea reefs and waters, the Philippines has set repairs on a crumbling Second World War ship that serves as its lonely outpost there.The BRP Sierra Madre, emblematic of the Philippine military, was deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1995 in a desperate move to check China’s advance in the Spratly Islands.The South China Sea chain is also disputed in whole or in part by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.“This budget will allow us more latitude in acquiring new assets for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” defence department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.

“We are pushing hard on modernisation and we will need all the help we can get ... This includes the purchase of frigates and patrol aircraft.”Two of 12 fighter jets that the Philippines had bought from South Korea are expected to be delivered as early as November, he said.A United Nations-backed tribunal is expected to decide in months whether it has jurisdiction over a Philippine petition to declare China’s claims as illegal.Beijing has refused to cooperate in the arbitration proceedings.

Philippines President Aquino Proposed Php172 billion for DND in 2016

he Education, Public Works and Highways and the National Defense departments continue to have the biggest allocation in the proposed Php3.002 trillion 2016 national budget, which President Benigno Aquino III approved Monday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement, said the planned national budget for next year is 15.2 percent higher than this year's Php2.606 trillion and accounts to about 19.5 percent of the country's total output.

But while the Department of Education (DepEd) received the highest allocation, it is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Health (DOH) that were given big increases.

DepEd's proposed budget for next year amounts to Php436.5 billion, or 18.9 percent higher than its Php367.1 billion budget this year.

Meanwhile, the proposed budget for DPWH and DOH jumped by 32 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively.

DPWH got a proposed budget amounting to Php401.14 billion from this year's Php303.2 billion, while DOH's budget for 2016 amounts to Php128.5 billion from Php103.9 billion this year.

Coloma attributed the hike in these two departments' budget to "efforts to boost public infrastructure development and support economic expansion as well as to improve health care services especially to the poor and most vulnerable sectors of society."

The bid to put in place necessary infrastructure were stressed by the President during the Cabinet meeting, he said after the Chief Executive "directed all Cabinet members to intensify efforts at completing the delivery of programs, especially those on public infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of "Yolanda"-affected and other calamity areas."

Department of National Defense

Relatively, the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) next year amounts to Php172 billion, higher than this year's Php144.5 billion; and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is Php156 billion from Php141.4 billion this year.

On the other hand, proposed budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for next year amounts to Php107.6 billion, slighlty lower than its Php108.2 billion budget this year.

Coloma, in a text message to PNA, said the adjustment in the department's proposed 2016 budget "is not big or significant" since other agencies focused on the delivery of social services such as education, health and housing were proposed to have budget increases.

The planned 2016 national budget is scheduled to be submitted to Congress on July 28, 2015, a day after the President delivers his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Earlier, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said debt service under the proposed budget for next year accounts for 14 percent of the total budget at about Php419 billion.

Also, 85 percent of next year's proposed borrowing program will be sourced on-shore while the balance of 15 percent will come from foreign creditors with the bias still on domestic borrowing to lessen foreign exchange risks.

Relatively, Abad said infrastructure spending for next year was placed at Php768 billion, which already includes those for local government units (LGUs).

The government has been increasing its infrastructure spending and targets this to account to about five percent of GDP by 2016 to ensure that necessary infrastructure would be in place to sustain the strong domestic growth. 

Philippines Army's 6 Upgraded AFVs to Arrive by June 18

"The first six units of the upgraded AFVs are arriving by June 18," Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, Philippines Army spokesperson told.This lot will be followed by 18 other units and four more by July or August, he said.Fourteen of the M-113s will be configured as fire support vehicles, four as infantry fighting vehicles, six as armored personnel carriers, and another four as armored recovery units.

The M-113s will be supplied by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd.The contract, which is worth PhP882 million, was signed on June 22, 2014.Upgrades include installation of 25mm unmanned turrets, 12.7mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90mm turrets.The PA operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs (armored personnel carriers).

Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable), another 10 percent on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent on red (beyond repair)

About 150 of these are the United Kingdom-built GKN "Simba," with the remaining AFVs consisting of United States-designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113s, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs.These vehicles give the PA its armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companion for deployment with regular units.

New rifles for the Phillipine army

Soldiers test-fire their newly acquired 5.56mm M4 carbine rifles during a hand-over ceremony at the Army’s 8th Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Magsaysay


Photos - Manila Times

Philippines top defense and military officials focus on situation of peacekeepers in Syria

Philippine military says all soldiers rescued in Golan Heights. More details awaited

Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are hands on in monitoring the situation of Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights, as Syrian rebels started firing at their position today, August 30.

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario, and AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr led the online video conference with 7th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights commander LTC Ted Damusmog.They were joined by USec Natalio C Ecarma III, AFP Vice Chief of Staff LtGen John S Bonafos, Deputy Chief of Staff LtGen Virgilio O Domingo, Army Commanding General Hernando DCA Iriberri, Navy Flag Officer in Command VAdm Jesus C Millan, Air Force Commanding General LtGen Jeffrey F Delgado, and other staff of the AFP.

Philippine Army's M113s to get major upgrade from Elbit Systems

Philippine Army's M113s to get major upgrade from Elbit Systems.In addition to rebuilding the structural, mechanical and electrical elements of the M113s.Elbit will install new fire control systems as well as night vision sensors along with GPS, intercom and radios.

The Philippines will also supply the turrets from 14 of its decommissioned Scorpion reconnaissance vehicles.

These two man turrets are equipped with a 76mm gun that can provide excellent infantry support. Four of the M113s will be equipped to tow damaged vehicles or carry casualties.

Elbit Systems $ 20 million contract to supply upgraded armoured personnel carrier to Philippines Army

The upgrade Elbit Systems will include 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets. The APCs will be supplied over a one-year period.The contract marks a significant breakthrough for Elbit Systems, as it is the first one awarded to the company in the Philippines.

Udi Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems' Land and C4I commented: "We are very pleased to be awarded our first contract for the Philippines Armed Forces, which we hope will be followed by others. Our extensive portfolio and our vast experience enable us to offer our customers advanced solutions, answering the specific requirements of various combat vehicles, and this award further positions us as world leaders in the field of ground vehicle upgrades".

Philippine Navy eyes French frigates

Amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the government is looking at French frigates for the Philippine Navy’s use.Naval officials were given a tour yesterday of the French Navy’s surveillance frigate Prairial – a 93.5-meter ship with both military and civilian characteristics, making it ideal for multiple purposes including disaster relief and other humanitarian missions, operations against piracy and international drug trafficking, and territorial patrol.

The Prairial is one of two French warships deployed in the Pacific – one in Tahiti and the other in New Caledonia.Prairial Commander Frederic Daumas said at a reception on the ship last night that the frigate, with 93 crewmembers, has performed well in various weather conditions including hurricanes since being commissioned in May 1992, and would last many more years.The Prairial is armed with 20 mm and 100 mm guns and Exocet surface-to-air missiles, and carries a transport craft, three boats and one Alouette III helicopter.

An information sheet on the frigate states: “Their main duty is to patrol overseas maritime zones over which France implements its sovereignty. In peace time, they enforce navigational police, control fishery and protect trade traffic.”Daumas said his crew would conduct joint exercises with the Philippine Navy tomorrow in Manila Bay before the frigate leaves for Hong Kong.The Prairial, which arrived Monday from Guam for its seventh port call in Manila, is on the fourth month of a seven-month deployment. It will also visit China, Japan and South Korea before returning to Tahiti.

Several months ago, the Philippine government considered acquiring coast guard patrol boats from France, but the plan did not push through.


http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/05/01/1317952/navy-eyes-french-frigates

U.S.-Philippines Pact Could Boost Arms Sales

A new 10-year security pact between the United States and the Philippines could lead to modest increases in U.S. weapons sales in coming years, especially for maritime surveillance equipment, analysts said on Sunday.The agreement, to be signed on Monday, establishes a framework for an increased U.S. military presence in the Philippines and is part of a "rebalancing" of U.S. resources toward the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

The deal comes 23 years after the Philippine Senate voted to evict the U.S. military from bases there, ending 94 years of American military presence in the Asian nation.Virginia-based defense analyst Loren Thompson noted that the deal came as China increasingly encroaches on maritime areas claimed by Manila in the South China Sea, even as a long-running Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines is abating.
"What Manila needs most in the way of military technology is weapons that can help enforce its claim to areas in the South China Sea," Thompson said.

That could include P-8A maritime patrol aircraft built by Boeing Co, which have already been sold to India, conventional munitions such as the Standard Missile-3 built by Raytheon Co and small warships built by Lockheed Martin Corp or Australia's Austal, he said.A renewal of counter-insurgency operations would probably move helicopters up the list of acquisition priorities, particularly UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters built by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp.U.S. industry executives said they were keeping a close eye on the situation in the Philippines, but arms sales ultimately would be negotiated between the two governments.

"This is a new market," said one industry executive who was not authorized to speak publicly. "Chinese ambitions are making many countries look for support from the United States - even ones that have been out of the U.S. sphere for some time, such as the Philippines and Vietnam."Byron Callan, an analyst with Capital Alpha Partners, cautioned that any U.S. arms sales would be limited in scope, given the small size of the Philippines' defense budget, which totaled just $2.2 billion in 2013, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies."You could assume that 25 percent or so of that amount is for investment," Callan said. "And that spending power is not going to move the needle for U.S. defense primes."

Jim McAleese, a Virginia-based defense consultant, said the agreement's initial focus was on ship porting and military rotations, but arms sales could follow later.He said purchases of large weapons systems like Boeing's P-8A, which sells for about $275 million, would likely have to be funded by U.S. foreign military aid.


http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/USPhilippines-Pact-Could-Boost-Arms-Sales-2014-04-27/

Philippine to Buy More Planes for Air Force

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday unveiled a plan to acquire more aircraft to boost the capability of the Philippine Air Force.
Presiding over the Air Force change of command in Lipa City, the President said the Armed Forces would purchase eight combat utility helicopters, six close air support aircraft, two-long range patrol aircraft, and radar systems.

“We intend to buy also full-motion flight simulator to improve the training of our pilots,” he said in a speech aired over state-run dzRB radio.These are on top of the new FA50 from South Korea that will be delivered to the Air Force next year, Mr. Aquino said.“In 2005, we retired our last F5 freedom fighter. It’s our wish to enhance the capability of our pilots to fly this type of aircraft for military operations,’’ he said.

Last month, the military signed contracts for the acquisition of 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets worth P18.9-billion from South Korea and eight combat utility helicopters worth P4.8-billion from Canada.Under the watch of Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz, who retired as Air Force chief on Friday, the PAF acquired a number of aircraft. It now boasts of three C-130 transports, eight combat utility helicopters, and 18 basic trainer aircraft, the President said.

Dela Cruz turned over his post to Major General Jeffrey Delgado, AFP deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. Delgado is a former senior military aide to the President.

The President did not make any reference to a defense agreement allowing increased US military presence that is widely believed to be signed during President Obama’s visit on Monday.
Reports say that the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation will be the cornerstone of Obama’s visit to the country.
Under the deal, the Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to the country’s military bases in the face of China’s increasing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
Philippine authorities will have access to US facilities inside local military bases.


Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/597341/ph-to-buy-more-planes-for-air-force-aquino#ixzz30AqHr134

U.S. and Philippines Agree to a 10-Year Pact on the Use of Military Bases

Signing Of The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement

Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images

Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, left, and U.S. Ambassador to the Philipinnes Philip Goldberg shake hands after signing the enhanced defense cooperation agreement in Manila on April 28, 2014.

The United States has reached a 10-year agreement with the Philippines that will give American warships, planes and troops greater access to bases in the archipelago, American officials said Sunday.

The deal, which will be the centerpiece of President Obama’s visit to the Philippines on Monday, returns the United States to a visible presence in the country for the first time since the American military gave up its sprawling naval and air bases, including one at Subic Bay, in 1992.The accord will also give the United States more flexibility to project its military assets in a region that has become increasingly tense, with China and its neighbors, including the Philippines, squabbling over territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

Still, administration officials said the deal was not intended to contain China.President Obama, with Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, answered questions from youth leaders at the Malaysia Global Innovation and Creativity Center in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.Listening Post: In Malaysia, Obama Works to Mend Troubled TiesAPRIL 27, 2014
President Obama at a state dinner in Malaysia, one of four stops on his Asia tour, with King Abdul Halim and Queen Haminah.News Analysis: On a Trip That Avoids Beijing, Obama Keeps His Eye on ChinaAPRIL 26, 2014. “We’re not doing this because of China,” said Evan Medeiros, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council. “We’re doing this because we have a longstanding alliance partner.”

The American military presence in the Philippines was a frequent source of tension between the countries, who are treaty allies. But the rapid response of American ships and planes after Typhoon Haiyan, amid a more chaotic Philippine response, has increased popular support for allowing the United States military to have more access.

Philippines DND, suppliers to sign multi-billion contracts for trainer jets, attack choppers

Finally lot of long pending defense deals for Philippines Armed forces go through. Multi Range fighter and Long Range Surveillance Radar System next on the acquisition wishlist.



The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) will be signing on Friday contracts with suppliers for the manufacture of 12 training jet fighters worth P18.9 billion and 8 attack helicopters worth P4.8 billion.The defense materials are all intended for use by the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

South Korea’s Korean Aerospace Inc. (KAI) will be supplying FA50 jets and the Canadian Commercial Corp. will manufacture Bell 412 combat utility helicopters.President Benigno Aquino III had approved a total amount of P75 billion for the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to achieve at least a “minimum credible defense” in the face of China’s aggressive incursions in the West Philippine Sea where it illegally posting Philippine territories.

In an interview, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the acquisition of the FA50s is a good start to enhance the present air capability of PAF.“Well, the FA50s will greatly enhance our air defense capability. This would signal the start of our territorial defense initiatives so that brings us closer to what we want to attain, what we plan to achieve which is the minimum credible defense. Definitely, this is a positive start towards that end,” he said.

But Okol said the acquisition of the FA50s does not stop there because the aircrafts are just training fighter jets.“Eventually we will be acquiring multirole fighter (MRF) jets when the time comes, and that is another level of territorial defense,” Okol said.

With the FA50s, the DND has yet to decide which Long Range Surveillance Radar System it will buy, whether the United States-made TPS-77 or the Israel-made ELM 2288.PAF is planning to acquire 3 radar units worth about P3 billion for the country’s air defense and to also fit with the FA50s.“The radars provide situational awareness so they look far beyond the horizon to see if somebody is infringing on our territorial sovereignty. The maritime patrol aircraft, the long range patrol aircraft are the ones looking into our maritime domain awareness,” Okol said.The DND is also eyeing the purchase of 4 anti-submarine helicopters worth P5.4 billion for its BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, two 47-year-old decommissioned Hamilton-class cutters the Philippine Navy acquired from the US Coast Guard.

The helicopters, AW 159 “Wildcat”, are manufactured by Augusta Westland.