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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Gregorio del Pilar Class Frigates to be equipped with Harpon anti-ship missiles

The Canadian frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile during a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) sinking exercise (in public domain)

In a report publish by Philippine online news sites, a ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official said, that the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates of the Philipine Navy is to be equipped with Harpoon, anti-ship missile system, sophisticated radars capable of detecting and tracking incoming surface threats and an anti-missile and torpedo decoying systems, to make these Frigates a more capable vessels to satisfy our minimum deterrent capability as far as naval defense is concern

The official said the Harpoon is the ideal missile system for the Del Pilar Class, noting that one of their sister-ship, the USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717), has been fitted with the Harpoon missile launchers and test fired the weapons in January, 1990.

Sources:

1. MB.com.ph

2. PhilSTAR.com

3. Balita

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Philippines purchasing an MK38 Mod 2 Gun Systems for Navy

MK 38 Mod 2 Machine Gun System (in public domain)

Based from the US Department of Defense website, the "BAE Systems Land and Armaments Inc., U.S. Combat Systems Division, Louisville, Ky., is being awarded a $24,257,531 firm-fixed-price contract for 21 MK38 Mod 2 machine gun systems and associated spare parts in support of the U.S. Navy and the Philippines."

This contract is a combined purchased of the US Navy and the Philippine Government  under the Foreign Military Sales Program of the United States.

 
Source:

US DoD

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"Japan to Philippines: Do you want Coast Guard ships or not?"--Inquirer Global Nation

Japan Coast Guard Small Patrol Vessel, PS202 Hotaka. (in public domain)

Saying that “the ball is in the Philippines’ court,” Japan has revealed that its plan to provide the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with 12 brand new patrol boats had yet to officially take off.

Read more by clicking here 


Source:

Inquirer Global Nation

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Coast Guard to procure additional P152M disaster-response equipment--PIA

MANILA, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will procure additional P152-million disaster response equipment to further beef up PCG’s disaster response capability. 

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Source:

Philippine Information Agency

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"US helps Philippines fortify defense in Palawan"--Inquirer Global Nation

Pursuing its pivot to Asia strategy, the United States on Thursday handed over to the Philippines new equipment to improve surveillance and law enforcement operations in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as President Benigno Aquino prepared to meet China’s leader for talks that may include territorial disputes in those waters.

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Source: 

Ingquirer global nation

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Navy studying if PH needs to buy submarine--Interaksyon.com

HMCS Windsor SSK 877, (in public domain)

MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III said the Philippine Navy is now conducting a study on whether or not it would be practical for the country to acquire its first submarine. (click here to read more)

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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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Six M-II3 Armored Personel Carrier Delivered to Philippine Army

US M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier in Iraq (In Public Domain)

With the PhP4.7B that the AFP got from the conversion of former military bases, 43 of its modernization projects were completed, including the delivery of six M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier and 1,621 night vision fighting system units to the Philippine Army, the Phippine Daily Inqurer reported in March of this year.

M-113 Specifications

Weight	12.3 tonnes (13.6 short tons; 12.1 long tons)
Length	4.863 metres (15 ft 11.5 in)
Width	2.686 metres (8 ft 9.7 in)
Height	2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Crew	2
Passengers	11 passengers
Armor	aluminum 12–38 millimetres (0.47–1.5 in)
Main armament	M2 Browning machine gun
Secondary armament	varies (see text)
Engine	Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 6-cylinder diesel engine 275 hp (205 kW)
Power/weight	22.36 hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion bar, 5 road wheels
Operational range	~480 km (~300 miles)
Speed	67.6 km/h (42.0 mph), 5.8 km/h (3.6 mph) swimming

Sources:

1. Wikipedia - M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier  

2. Inquirer News - Online

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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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PN gets new Philippine made multi-purpose attack craft

New MPACs
(In Public Domain, www.navy.mil.ph)

The Philippine Navy last August 6, has received two new multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC)  of Filipino designed and made. 

Another MPAC, with modifications of this type was received during the 114th anniversary celebration of the PN last May in which up to a total of 42 units are expected to enter service in the near future.

Taiwanese Built MPACs 

Swedish Combat Boat 90 (CB 90) in the port of Gothenburg
(under creative commons)

The Philippine Navy in May 2009 received the first batch of three Taiwanese-built (MPAC) similar to the Swedish Combat Boat 90 during the 111th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy in May 2009.

The 1st three MPACs are around 15 meters long and are equipped with a water jet system. It has a maximum speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) and could reach around 300 nautical miles (560 km) while traveling on a transit speed of 30 knots (56 km/h). It is made of welded aluminum and can carry 16 fully equipped soldiers and 4 crew members or a payload of 2 tons. 

The ships are armed with one 50-caliber machine gun and two 7.62mm machine guns.

Sources:

Yahoo News
wikipedia - Philippine Navy

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PAF Acquires New SF-260FHs Basic Trainer Aircraft

SF-260AM of the Italian Airforce
(Creative Commons Share Alike with Attribution)

In a news report that can be found in Inquirer News, PAF has acquired 18 brand new SF-260FHs Basic Trainer aircraft with a cost nearing PHP 623 Million in September 2011.

Said aircraft will be used to improve the capability of the PAF to train its pilots, which was presented by PAF Commanding General Oscar H. Rabena, during the 12th founding anniversary of the Air Education and Training Command in San Fernando Airbase, Lipa City, Batangas,

Source: 

Inquirer News

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