"Duterte approves P300-B phase 2 of AFP modernization program"

Multiple Launch Rocket System

Under the second phase of the modernization program, the Philippine Army will acquire towed and self-propelled howitzers, multiple launch rocket system, light tanks, armored recovery vehicles, fire support vehicles, tactical radios, ground mobility equipment (light, medium, and heavy), individual weapons, crew-served weapons, and night fighting system.

CV90120-T LIGHT TANK

M109 SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZERS

NIGHT FIGHTING SYSTEM

The Philippine Air Force, meanwhile, has multi-role fighter aircraft, radar system, light utility aircraft, medium lift aircraft, heavy lift helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, attack and combat utility helicopters, special mission and long-range patrol aircraft, and trainer aircraft.

MULTI-ROLE FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS

AH-1F ATTACK HELICOPTER

SPECIAL MISSION AND LONG-RANGE PATROL AIRCRAFT

Frigates, corvettes, submarines, amphibious assault vehicles, anti-submarine helicopters, attack crafts, medium lift helicopters, and multi-role vessel are set to be acquired for the Philippine Navy. 

FRIGATE

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VEHICLE

Horizon 2 will be implemented from 2018 until 2022 while Horizon 3 will be from 2023 to 2028.

“Second Horizon is supposed to be our transition period from internal security operations to territorial defense, so we're somewhere in between,” Andolong said.


Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/657620/duterte-approves-p300-b-phase-2-of-afp-modernization-program/story/

"PHL Navy acquiring 2 corvettes, 6 offshore patrol vessels aside from 6 frigates"

Chief of Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said that among the approved projects under the Horizon 2 of Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program are the acquisition of corvettes and offshore patrol vessels.

 

“‘Yung na-approve sa second horizon is we are going to procure two corvettes and 6 offshore patrol vessels,” Empedrad said over DWDD on June 13.

“So lots of ships capabilities na iaacquire natin, pero more importantly gusto sana namin makuha ‘yung submarines because it’s strategic deterrence to other navies in world,” he noted.

“Kasi kung alam nilang may submarines ka they will start to respect the Philippine Navy,” he explained.

Empedrad also said that the Navy is programmed to have a total of 6 frigates. Two frigates are currently being built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries.

President Rodrigo Duterte said during the 120th anniversary celebration of Philippine Navy at Coconut Palace, CCP Complex, Manila that the government is working on implementing the Horizon 2 of AFP modernization which encompasses a number of projects for the Philippine Navy amounting to PHP77 billion.


Source: https://www.facebook.com/dwdd1134/videos/2162869070624244/; https://pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20180522-Speech_of_President_Rodrigo_Roa_Duterte_during_the_120th_Philippine_Navy_Anniversary.pdf

PHL eyes Russia, Korea for submarines

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines is now looking for possible suppliers of diesel-electric submarines which will be acquired in the third horizon of Revised Armed Forces (AFP) Modernization Program, 2023 to 2028.

Among the countries the Philippines is looking are South Korea and Russia. “Tumitingin tayo sa Korea at Russia and other countries,” Secretary Lorenzana said after the June 11 DND flag raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The defense chief said Philippines is being left out by its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

“Kailangan din naman natin ‘yan para meron naman tayong security, kasi yung mga kapitbahay natin may mga submarines na eh, Malaysia, Indonesia, pati Singapore na napakaliit na bansa, at Vietnam, tayo na lang wala dito,” he said.

He explained that procuring submarines takes time.

“Kasi iyung pagawa ng submarine, it takes five to eight years, sometimes it takes 10 years. From the time we order it until it is finished, it takes that long. If we order in the third horizon and is delivered, the term of the president is already finished,” Lorenzana said.

Sources: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037854; https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/11/lorenzana-looking-at-south-korea-russia-as-potential-suppliers-of-submarines-for-afp/

For the first time the Philippines activated the integrated SOF command

"Philippines Activated The Integrated SOF Command"

DSA 2018: For the first time the Philippines activated the integrated SOF command,

The Philippine Armed Forces form a new joint integrated command, called the AFP Special Operations Command (AFPSOCOM), on April 6.

Deploying them under one command for the first time, AFPSOCOM combines existing special forces units from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and Philippine Air Force (PAF). As an integrated command, it reflects the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to some extent.

RIMPAC 2018 contingent left for Cebu prior send off in Hawaii

PHILIPPINE NAVY RIMPAC 2018
Capable, Adaptive, Partners

The Philippine Navy (PN) contingent for the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise left Manila for Cebu before its departure to Hawaii on June 6, Wednesday.

The vigorous support from the government and its stakeholders through the modernization program, the PN for the first time is sending a naval task force to participate in the world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 2018 scheduled on June 27 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

Two Navy vessels, BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF17) with an embarked AW 109 naval helicopter, a naval special operations group team and one (1) Marine Company will form part of the participating Naval Task Force (NTF) RIMPAC.

The NTF is led by Captain Ernesto O. Baldovino as the Commander NTF RIMPAC. The Commander, Fleet-Marine Ready Force, Commodore Toribio D. Adaci Jr spearheadsthe contingent as its head of mission.

Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, the Flag Officer In Command inspected and held a “talk to men” to boost the morale of the personnel and ensured the readiness of the contingent in its maiden participation to RIMPAC 2018.

The NTF is further complemented by components from Civil Military Operations (CMO), Training, Medical, Legal, and students from different PN education and training schools

RIMPAC 2018 with its theme, "Capable, Adaptive, Partners” is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. This is the second International Defense and Security Engagement (IDSE) that the PN will participate in this year. The first IDSE is in Indonesia where the PN participated in the Multi-national Exercise Komodo 2018.

A Royal Malaysian Navy Ship will join the Philippine NTF as it sails from Cebu and will link up with other navies (Indonesian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Navy) along the way for the ASEAN++ Group Sail to RIMPAC18.

The PN’s participation in this undertaking is expected to advance its maritime operational capability to multilateral level thereby increasing readiness and interoperability and enabling the nation’s premiere maritime force to be more effective and efficient in the conduct of its mandated task.

Source: Philippine Navy
https://www.facebook.com/philippinenavy/

PAF allots P53.5-M for ‘Huey’ parts

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking for suppliers of structural, hydraulic, rotor and flight control systems needed for the repair and maintenance of its one of UH-IH/D “Huey” combat utility helicopters.

The budget for the project, according the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, is PHP53.5 million.

The submission and opening of bids will be held at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on Thursday.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA (Republic Act No.) 9184 and its IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders,” PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the same bid bulletin.

The PAF operates 30 to 40 units of the “Huey” helicopters for transport, supply and medical evacuation missions.

Source: https://www.ptvnews.ph/paf-allots-p53-5-m-huey-parts/