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/

PHL Coast Guard welcomes 9th new vessel from Japan

"PHL Coast Guard welcomes 9th new vessel from Japan"

Today, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) welcomed its 9th brand-new Parola-class Multi-role Response Vessel from Japan. The vessel will officially be known as BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) when commissioned to coast guard service. 4405 (4+4+0+5=13) was skipped for the 5th vessel.

“The MRRV-4410 is named after Lighthouse Bagacay which is situated in Liloan, Cebu,” the PCG said.

The 7th and 8th Parola-class MRRVs BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) and BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) were officially commissioned to coast guard service in March 2018.

The first Parola-class MRRV, BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) was commissioned in October 2016.

Parola-class vessels are 44-meter ships ordered from Japan Marine United through the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for PCG Phase 1. MSCIP for PCG Phase 1 was funded through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) official development assistance (ODA) loan.

Phase 2 of MSCIP for PCG is already in the pipeline. This project, to be funded with JICA ODA, will acquire 2 heavy weather, high endurance 94-meter MRRVs for PCG.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/PhilCoastGuardOfficial/posts/1642927272472242

"M'sian, Filipino Naval ships held a meeting at maritime border to exchange intelligence"

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and their counterpart from the Philippines held a meeting at the maritime border of the two countries today, to exchange intelligence.

The meeting which involved RMN's KD Sri Tiga and Philippine Navy vessel BRP Ceb, was carried out under the Trilateral Maritime Patrol Programme in Sabah's Eastern Security Zone (Esszone).

The Naval Strategic Communications Branch (Mawilla) 2 in a statement today said this was the third of such meetings between the two vessels.

According to the statement, the vessels were headed by KD Sri Tiga commanding officer Lt Comm Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin and BRP Cebu's commander, Lt Comm Arnold Valida.

Mawilla 2 in the statement added that it would not compromise on security and continue to improve monitoring in Sabah's east coast waters, especially during the month of Ramadan. — Bernama


Source:
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/05/24/msian-filipino-naval-ships-meet-maritime-border-exchange-intelligence

Info on upcoming anti-submarine helicopters of PHL Navy appears online

Information about the upcoming brand-new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) AW159 Wildcat helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo has appeared in UK Serials Resource Centre’s website.

The information included the serial numbers ZZ549 and ZZ550 for AgustaWestland AW.159 220 going to Philippine Navy.

The Philippine Navy is expecting to receive these two helicopters 4th quarter 2018 to early 2019 and are eyed to be operational in May 2019.

“The two anti-submarine helicopters with torpedoes will be operational by May next year,” Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said during the Navy’s 120th founding anniversary celebration on May 22.

Sources: 

http://www.ukserials.com/; http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036135

https://www.mintfo.com/security-defense/info-on-upcoming-anti-submarine-helicopters-of-phl-navy-appears-online/3628/