Phippines Plans to buy Indonesian Spy Plane

Irish Air Corps (CASA CN 235 aircraft). (under creative commons)

MANILA, Philippines – The government plans to procure a spy plane from Indonesia and a troop transport aircraft from Italy, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman, said the long-range maritime patrol and surveillance plane is manufactured in Indonesia under a joint venture agreement with Spain.  (Click here to read more)

Source;

PhilSTAR.com

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PAF to acquire air defense radars--PhilSTAR.com.ph

An Alenia MRCS-403 3D-radar of the Austrian Air Force (imaqe under GNU Free documentation License)

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Force will acquire at least three air defense radars during the term of President Aquino to boost its capabilities in securing the country’s territory.

Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said the radars would be used to protect the country’s airspace.

“We are looking at two to three radars. These may be placed in traditional areas like La Union or Mindoro or possibly in the West Philippine Sea,” Okol told The STAR in a telephone interview yesterday.

He said they are still estimating the cost of the radars. Officials have yet to finalize the details of the acquisition plan... (click here to continue reading)

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Philippines Planning to Buy ASW Helicopters for its Frigates

US Navy SH-3H Sea King helicopter lowers a dipping sonar during a training mission. 
(In Public Domain)

Zambo Times reports that the Philippine government is in the market for an Anti Submarine Warfare Helicopters (ASW) and plans to acquire them between 2013 - 2017.  An ASW capable helicopters are choppers that can hunt submarines and lead other air or sea craft to it and in some cases can even attack the submarine itself.

Citing a military ranking officer, the report says, that the move was part of the military efforts to improve Philippine Naval Services and is included in the government's medium term defense acquisition list for the next four years.

The ASW Helicopters when acquired, will be assigned to the two Gregorio Del Pilar Class Frigates and to the two "Maestrale" class missile frigates from Italy that the DND is eyeing to acquire by 2013.

Source:

1. Zambo Times - retrived on  August 21, 2012

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Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano

Super Tucano at URUBRA I exercise
(Creative Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Super_Tucano_at_URUBRA_I_exercise.jpg)

The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is one of the aircraft being eyed by the Philiipine Government to replace its ageing OV-10 Broncos.

A turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN), close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training. 

Designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain, the Super Tucano is highly maneuverable, has a low heat signature, incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision guided munitions.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia - Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano

2. Manila Bulletin - Online

3. Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 

4. GMA Network News - Online  

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T-50 Trainer Aircraft from South Korea might be PAF's newest aircraft

T-50 Trainer Aircraft of Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force

(GNU Free Documentation License)

Recently it has been reported that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is eyeing to buy 12 Trainer Jets from the Republic of South Korea.  The Acquisition will cost about PhP 25 Billion once approved, with the government  pushing for the delivery of the first two within a reasonable time, to ensure that in two years, once the planes have entered into service, our pilots are alredy capable of using these planes.

Said planned purchase is to boost PAF's Fighter Attack Aircraft/Lead-in Fighter Trainer jet (FAA/LIFT)  requirements in which  only two SF-211s trainer jets  remain in active service, while four are under going maintenance.

Sources:

1. ABS-CBN News 
2. GMA Network News

3. CNTV

4. Jacarta Post

5. Inquirer News

6. Interaksyon

7. PhilStar
8. Zambo Times
9. Mindanao Examiner

10. Wikipedia - KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
11. Wikipedia - Philippine Air Force

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