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04 Desember 2017 A-29 Super Tucano (photo : Rafael Nunes) PAF unit to get 6 'Super Tucanos' MANILA -- Once delivered in 2019, the six brand-new Embraer A-29 "Super Tucano" light attack aircraft will be turned over to the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) 15th Strike Wing, a defense official said. "They will be turned over and maintained by the 15th Strike Wing, the PAF's end-user," Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview late Friday. Andolong said the A-29 is a durable, versatile, and highly advanced aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions. "(It can) even (operate) on unimproved runways," he added. The 15th Strike Wing, based in Sangley Point, Cavite City, is the operator of all the Air Force's ground attack aircraft, including the venerable Rockwell OV-10 "Broncos" and assorted armed helicopters. Earlier, Andolong announce...

01 Desember 2017 A-29 Supert Tucano for PAF will be start delivered in 2019 (photo : videoblocks) SAO PAULO /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer announced today a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). After a comprehensive public bidding process participated by several manufacturers from around the globe and complying with the stringent evaluation processes the Super Tucano was selected as part of the PAF's ongoing modernization plan. The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgency missions. Deliveries will start in 2019. "We are honored to be selected by the Philippine Air Force, our second operator in the Asia-Pacific region, and with the confidence expressed by our customer", said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "The Super Tucano is the best light attack aircraft in the market and w...

27 November 2017 Two American companies to bid to meet a requirement for a tropospheric scatter (troposcatter) communications system. (photo : Shephard) The Department of National Defense (DND) through its Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) chaired by Asec. Teodoro Cirilo T. Torralba III is procuring a tropospheric scatter (troposcatter) system for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joint C4ISTAR from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi. C4ISTAR stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information/Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance. The acquisition will be via Limited Source Bidding with only two American defense company, Raytheon and Comtech Systems Inc., invited to participate. “We would like to request your good office to treat this project with extreme confidentiality,” the DND SBAC said in its invitation to bid. Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes is scheduled on November 21. The acquisition project has an approved budget of PHP181....

25 November 2017 24 brand new attack helicopters will be acquired during 2018-2022 (photo : AIN) MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) confirmed plans to acquire 24 brand-new attack helicopters which will be used by the military to support troops engage in fighting terrorists and other lawless elements. This was confirmed by DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong in a message to the PNA Thursday. "We have programmed procurement of 24 attack helicopters under the Second Horizon of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. We are awaiting for the final approval of the Office of the President on the RAFPMP Second Horizon," he added. However, the project still has no "ABC" (approved budget for contract) as of this posting, Andolong pointed out. President Rodrigo Duterte, in a recent visit to the Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, told wounded troops that the time for second equipment and armament is now ...

24 November 2017 Philippine will acquire MLRS (photo : themess) During his visit to Philippine Army’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on November 22, President Duterte specifically mentioned the acquisition of “23 gunship helicopters” and “multiple rockets”. “You will have the best of the arms now. Hindi na ako pumayag na magbili tayo ng secondhand,” he said. “Maybe next year, late, I don’t know but sabi ni [Secretary of Budget and Management Benjamin] Diokno, scheduled for delivery na ‘yung 23 gunship helicopters,” President Duterte told the elite troops. He said that he will be “buying all the available equipment that are needed to fight the rebellion.” “‘Di naman kayo tinamaan ng ballistic missiles. ‘Yung mga multiple rockets, ‘yun ang kunin natin so utangin ko na lang. Mahirap naman na kasi mag-sige lang tanggap,” he added. “Maybe Secretary Esperon will go back there to – ito ngayon, credit na ang. Uutang na lang tayo tapos payable in soft loan 2...

23 November 2017 TC-90 aircraft of the PN (photo : Manila Bulletin) Philippine Naval conducts activation, blessing of Beechcraft King Air C-90 aircraft in Cavite The Philippine Navy through the Naval Air Group (NAG) conducted today activation and blessing ceremony of the Beechcraft King Air C-90 Aircraft held at Hangar 2, Headquarters Naval Air Group, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City. Lt. Sahirul A. Taib, the fleet public affairs officer, said the activity was formally opened by Captain Juario C. Marayag, the commander of the Naval Air Group. In his remarks, Marayag said the aircraft donated by Japan would help boost the Naval Air Group Air Operations and Maritime Air Surveillance capabilities. He said the aircraft would also enhance the skills of the naval aviators and maintenance personnel in handling modern equipment. “This platform will serve as the gradual transition from the humble Britten Norman Islanders to a much faster, higher and more fixed wing squadron...

22 November 2017 AW109 helicopter of the PAF (photo : Update) President Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to wounded soldiers in Army General Hospital in Headquarters Philippine Army, Taguig City on November 21 vowed to provide all the needs of military including new armaments and 23 attack helicopters. “At no other time na ang sundalo protektado pati ibigay ko sa inyo „yung lahat nang kailangan ninyo, mga armas na kailangan,” he said. “I am ordering new ones para pampalit doon sa inyo. Alam ko nagrereklamo kayo sa barrel pati vault. Baka in the next few months. I am in a hurry, nagmamadali ako. May papuntahin akong mga opisyal ng militar doon sa ibang lugar para mag-negotiate kaagad,” he added. He also hinted that the military may get new type of armament. “Malaman natin ‘yan in the next – I am in a hurry. Maybe next year, mailantad ko na ‘yung ano,” he said. “Meron tayong acquisition na 23 attack helicopters. ‘Yun supisyente na, ‘yun for a – ‘yung mga rebellion-rebellion lang,” he sai...

21 November 2017 Spike ER missile for MPAC (photo : Update) If everything goes as planned, the Philippine Navy (PN) will be mounting its first-ever missile system on three brand-new multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) this Christmas season. This was confirmed Monday by PN flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, when asked on the delivery and mounting of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER (extended range) missile systems on its three MPACs. The weapons are on anti-ship mode or can engage surface vessel targets. It is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles. “A pre-delivery inspection is already scheduled. Then an Air Force plane (from the Philippines) will go Israel to transport the missiles to the Philippines, all expenses paid by the proponent,” Mercado said. Tentative delivery and fitting out date is within December, the PN chief added. The three MPACs, with hull number BA-488, BA...

17 November 2017 Three high speed from Japan (photo : Update) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) today, November 16 received the three of the ten high speed Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) donated by the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation (JICA). The donated RHIBs from Japan were showcased during the last day of the nine-day Rubber Boast Operation Training as part of the 15th Maritime Law Enforcement Exercise held at the PCG Headquarters also conducted today. PCG said the RHIBs are part of the JPY 600 million Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) for the PCG from the Japanese government’s Economic and Social Development Program. “This project is one of the four (4) other equipment granted to the PCG. Among others were a 14-person capacity 15-meter boat, two (2) 10-12 meter boat and a portable X-ray detector,” PCG added. “The said NPGA is a result of President Duterte’s request to Ambassador Ishikawa during his courtesy call last July 2016 in the Philippines,” it added....

11 November 2017 Japan will fund four radar station through ODA budget (photo : JRC) TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will build four coast guard radar stations on islands in the Sulu Celebes Seas separating the Philippines and Indonesia to help Manila counter a surge in piracy by Islamic insurgents, two sources said. An agreement to fund the facilities and provide training to local coast guard personnel may be signed as early next week by Japanese Prime Minister and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, the sources said. “The seas in that area are an important waterway for merchant ships traveling to Japanese ports,” one of the people with knowledge of the plan said. The sources asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to talk to the media. Of 30 acts of piracy reported in the first half of 2017 six involved the use of guns, of which three were crew abductions from ships underway in the Sulu Celebes Seas, according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating ...

09 November 2017 Aselsan SMASH 30mm RWS (photo : SeaWaves) Aerospace, defence and security business information outlet Shephard Media reported that Aselsan will supply the 30mm SMASH remote-controlled naval gun system as secondary gun for the two Philippine Navy future frigates ordered from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). According to MaxDefense Philippines, the 30mm Aselsan SMASH conforms to the Technical Specifications of Navy frigate acquisition program as it was part of HHI’s Alternative Configuration. “But since the PN is already using the MSI Defence Seahawk and BAE Systems Mk.38 Mod.2 remote operated stabilized guns, the PN originally wanted the MSI Defence 30mm Seahawk which was offered by Hyundai as part of their Baseline Configuration,” it added. “Cost could be the issue since sources confirmed that the Aselsan SMASH is around $300,000 cheaper than the MSI Defence Seahawk,” MaxDefense said. Aselsan is a Turkish defense corporation that produces defense systems for the Turkish...

04 November 2017 JCG 94 meter patrol vessel (photo : goo.ne) The Japanese government has promised to provide the Philippines with patrol vessels, newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. during an interview with PTV4 on November 2. President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 26 last year witnessed the signing and exchanging of notes for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard Phase (MSCIP) II in which Japan will provide a loan package. “The objective of this project is to construct two (2) patrol ships to be used by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and aims to improve the PCG’s capabilities to quickly and appropriately respond to maritime incidents, such as search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement. It is expected that this cooperation will contribute to the enhancement of the maritime safety of the Republic of Philippines,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. MSCIP II vessels will...

02 November 2017 C-Guard decoy launchers (photo : Terma) Denmark-based Terma Group will equip the Philippine Navy’s future frigates with its C-Guard decoy launchers, which will assist in the protection of the strategic assets. The company will deliver a total of four launchers, two per frigate. Each launcher has six tubes, the DL-6T Launcher variant, and uses 130mm NATO decoy rounds to protect against threats including RF, IR, dual seeker and torpedo threats. The C-Guard solution has been thoroughly evaluated by the Philippine Navy. A company spokesperson said that the same system was also being commissioned in Thailand soon, although they could not disclose more details. More than 200 C-Guard systems are currently in operation worldwide on platforms ranging from patrol vessels to frigates. The company also has its Surface Surveillance Radar Scanter 4100 in operations with the Royal Thai Navy’s Landing Platform Dock (LPD), which also utilises the C-Guard. The Indonesian Navy’s Fatahill...

30 Okober 2017 AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe 3D Air Search Radars (photo : tutorial) Citing several sources, MaxDefense Philippines that has been providing credible information regarding the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said today that the AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe 3D Air Search Radars for BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) have arrived from United States. The above mentioned Del Pilar-class frigates are former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class high-endurance cutter acquired through through US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. “No schedule of installation was made available to MaxDefense yet, but it is possible that the installation will coincide with the installation of Mk.38 Mod.2/3 guns for the ships, 2 of which were delivered several months ago and was intended for BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15),” MaxDefense said. In December 2016, the US Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency Department (US DSCA) said the US State Department ...

27 Oktober 2017 This is one of the two Beechcraft TC-90 training aircraft that Japan's Ministry of Defense is giving to the Philippine military (photo : Nikkei) TOKYO -- Japan will give five military training aircraft to the Philippines at the end of March 2018 to help bolster the Southeast Asian country's ability to protect its coast, Japan's Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.  The deal follows a change in Japanese law during the last ordinary session of parliament that paved the way for donating secondhand defense equipment to developing countries. In addition to two TC-90 planes currently on lease to the Philippines, three more that were scheduled to be leased from next March will also be handed over for free. The Philippines approached Japan with a request to switch from a leasing arrangement to one where it would acquire the naval planes free of charge, according to Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera ...

26 Oktober 2017 AK-47M rifles (photo : Reuters) President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine and Russian defense ministers on Monday witnessed the turnover of military equipment from Russia. The Philippines received 20 trucks, 5,000 units of AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifles, one million units of 1943-type cartridges with steel core bullets, and 5,000 units of steel helmets. Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante and Major General Aleksandr Kshimovksiy of the main department for international military cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Defense signed the certificate of donation. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu witnessed the turnover at the Port of Manila. Duterte also toured the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Pantaleev to check its air defense system and wardroom. Ural tactical truck (photo : Inquirer) The Russians also showcased the ship's firearms and conducted an artillery demonstration during Duterte's tour.  On Tuesday...

25 Oktober 2017 RPG-7V grenade launcher (photo : TASS) 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. ( TASS )

24 Oktober 2017 SharpEye™ radar systems (photos : Kelvin Hughes) Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have contracted Kelvin Hughes to supply I Band and E/F Band SharpEye™ radars. The Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) was awarded to HHI in October 2016 to build two 2,600 ton frigates for hand over starting in 2020. Kelvin Hughes has announced it is to supply HHI two SharpEye™ navigation radars along with multifunction bridge radar displays for the Philippine Navy FAP. This follows the announcement by Kelvin Hughes in September that HHI contracted the company to supply the Integrated Navigation Bridge System (INBS) for The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) Vessel. The new naval vessels for the Philippine Navy are expected to have enhanced survivability, seakeeping and manoeuvring capability and be operable in up to Sea State 5 and also have stealth characteristics. The vessels (hull numbers P159 and P160) will be further complemented by the lo...

23 Oktober 2017 AK-103 rifle (photo : AK Operators) The Russian government is expected to turn over 5000 units of Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-103 with a million ammunition on October 25. Official announcement or confirmation is yet to be made but reliable sources say that Russia will be providing the AK-103 model of Kalashnikov rifle. AK-103 uses the 7.62×39mm round. It can be fitted with night vision or telescopic sights, and a knife-bayonet or grenade launcher. It was previously expected that Russia will provide the AK-101 which uses the 5.56×45mm NATO round. Assault rifles in Philippine military service uses 5.56×45mm NATO round. Department of National Defense – Government Arsenal is also producing the NATO round. President Rodrigo Duterte announced last week that Russia will be donating 5000 Kalashnikov rifles without providing specific model. These Russian rifle and ammunition together with 20 military truck will be formally turned over on October 25. ( Update )

20 Oktober 2017 EMB-314 Super Tucano (photo : Combat Aircraft) The Philippine government through the Department of National Defense (DND) is nearing to seal a deal with Brazilian manufacturer Embraer for the purchase of six EMB 314 Super Tucanos for Philippine Air Force (PAF), IHS Jane’s Defence Industry said in a report. IHS Jane’s cited DND public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong saying the contract is expected to be finalized before this year ends. These aircraft to be procured will act as Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft for PAF and will replace/complement PAF’s Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco” turboprop attack planes. According to MaxDefense, the plan under the second horizon of AFP modernization is to acquire 18 more Super Tucano to “ultimately replace the OV-10A/C/M Broncos and SF-260TP with the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing.” The DND confirmed in June that Embraer was declared as the lowest calculated bidder. “Embraer was determined as the lowest calculated bidder for the Close Air Support Proje...