Philippines Defence Forum

[Yuyukangkang]

IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
ADAS 2016: PTDI provides details behind delays of Philippine Air Force's NC212i deliveries
State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has denied media reports that delays to two light utility turboprop transport aircraft on order for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) stem from manufacturer faults.

The Philippine government awarded a contract for two NC212i aircraft to PTDI in 2014 and was originally scheduled to receive the platforms in mid-2016.

"The two platforms are ready and have been completed according to manufacturing schedule," said Teguh Gratio, an area sales manager for PTDI, in a meeting with IHS Jane's at the ADAS 2016 exhibition in Manila. "However, there has been a delay in the integration and certification of the aircraft's auto-pilot system."
http://www.janes.com/article/64223/...s-of-philippine-air-force-s-nc212i-deliveries

 

[Svantana]

BRP DAVAO DEL SUR
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repost from Indonesian Military Thread

 

[ahojunk]

Duterte gov’t readies fund to join China-led AIIB
By: Ben O. de Vera
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04:08 AM September 28th, 2016

The Philippines is ready to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with allocation in the proposed 2017 national budget for the paid-up capital contribution needed to become a member.

Officials said that even as only over three months remain before the deadline, the Philippines still has ample time to secure its membership in the AIIB.

In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Finance (DOF) noted that the Bureau of the Treasury’s budget for next year almost quadrupled to P6.461 billion, in part due to capital subscriptions to foreign financial institutions, including the AIIB.

The Lower House’s committee on appropriations Monday night endorsed for Congress’ approval the DOF’s P21.3-billion budget for 2017, up from this year’s P18.4 billion in appropriations mainly due to higher salaries of personnel under the second tranche of the Salary Standardization Law.

To become an AIIB member, the Philippines must shell out $196 million, payable in five years or $39 million (over P1.8 billion) per year, as indicative paid-in capital.

Members must pay the initial tranche of their respective contributions by yearend.

For the contribution needed to be shelled out this year, the Department of Budget and Management had said the initial instalment can be paid out of the P4-billion contingency fund under the 2016 budget.

“Ratifying our membership in the AIIB is a priority agenda,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles C. Jose said in a text message.

“The Senate is aware of the December deadline for us to submit our ratification papers, and had indicated that they will prioritize this,” Jose added, referring to the Senate foreign relations committee headed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

National Treasurer Roberto B. Tan agreed that there was time for the Senate to ratify the country’s AIIB membership.

In a recent meeting, Chinese embassy officials urged the DOF to fast-track work on the Philippines’ membership in the AIIB.

“The Chinese ambassador expressed appreciation that the Philippines is taking steps to complete procedures in its membership with the AIIB. The ambassador reiterated the need to complete all steps for full membership in the AIIB so the Philippines can access project financing to support its infrastructure requirements,” the DOF had said, referring to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.

The Philippines’ AIIB membership remained pending as it still needs Senate ratification. The country still has until yearend to secure Senate approval to become a founding member.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier said that the Duterte administration would speed up the Philippines’ membership in the AIIB to widen financing options in line with plans to ramp up infrastructure development.

On Dec. 31 last year—only a day before the deadline—the Philippines announced that it would become a founding member of the AIIB, which aims to finance developing countries’ infrastructure needs. Pundits say the AIIB is seen to rival other multilateral lenders such as the World Bank and the Manila-based ADB, which are led by the United States and Japan, respectively.

Dominguez had said the DOF “will do its part to work closely with the bicameral committees involved in studying the benefits the Philippines will acquire by signing as members to the AIIB.”

“The Duterte administration will definitely pursue joining the AIIB as at the forefront of the incoming administration’s socioeconomic agenda is to increase infrastructure spending in the country … With traffic and the lack of basic infrastructure projects being hindrances to Philippine economic prosperity, the membership of the Philippines to the AIIB—an infrastructure-lending bank, is surely something that the people will benefit from,” according to Dominguez.

The administration wanted to raise the share of infrastructure spending to the gross domestic product (GDP) to as much as 7 percent by 2022.


Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/215531/duterte-govt-readies-fund-join-china-led-aiib#ixzz4LvS4CVH2

 

[CountStrike]

Philippine Marines to Receive 8 KAAV in 2018

01 Oktober 2016



Hanwha Techwin KAAV (photos : maxdefense)

New kit for Philippine marines

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) will benefit from new amphibious vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems being introduced over the next two years.

In March the Philippines ordered eight Korea Amphibious Assault Vehicles (KAAV) from Hanwha Techwin for PHP2.423 billion ($52.6 million). An integrated logistics support package was included in the contract sum.

The KAAV is a licence-built version of the BAE Systems AAV7A1. HoJun Shin, manager of the overseas sales team of Hanwha Techwin’s defence business unit, confirmed that his company is ready for serial production.




A significant number of indigenously built AAVs are in service with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, but the company has to restart the production line to fulfil this first export order.

All eight are AAVP7A1 personnel-carrying variants fitted with a one-man turret mounting a K4 40mm automatic grenade launcher and K6 12.7mm machine gun.

A Philippine Navy spokesperson confirmed that four AAVs will be delivered in August 2018 and the remaining quartet in December the same year.

Under Horizon 2 of its modernisation plan, the PMC will be seeking additional AAVs as well.


Super Swiper SUAS (photo : hellotrade)

Small unmanned aircraft system

A second piece of new equipment destined for the PMC is a UAV being obtained under the Marine Fleet Imagery Targeting Support System programme.

This solution is being supplied by Triton Communications Corporation, a Philippine company. Citing a confidentiality agreement, Triton declined to name the UAV platform, though it could confirm it comes from overseas.

Shephard understands the Super Swiper UAV from Emmen Aerospace is the platform selected by the Philippines. The hand-launched Super Swiper has a maximum two-hour endurance and 16km range.

The MITSS is due to be delivered to the marines by June 2017.

(Shephard)

 

[Kababayan88]

Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia agree on joint air patrols

The defense ministers of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to explore joint air patrols during their trilateral meeting in Hawaii for the Asean-US Dialogue.

“The three ministers agreed to explore joint air patrols even while their respective armed forces are finalizing the parameters for maritime patrol in the agreed upon transit corridor in what the three countries consider as maritime areas of common concern,” the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement on Monday.

Last month, the three countries signed a document on standard operating procedures for trilateral maritime cooperation to secure regional waters.

The agreement to launch joint patrol in the seas after an increase of kidnappings led by the Abu Sayyaf this year.

“Primarily driven by the need to address the rising incidents of armed robbery at sea, kidnapping and piracy in the three countries’ areas of common concern, the trilateral meeting has evolved to be a platform for the defense ministers to address other emerging common concerns to include violent extremism,” the DND said.

“The phenomenon of returning fighters from the conflict in the Middle East could eventually create security challenges for the three countries, something which the ministers recognized and hence their decision to further get their act together,” it added.

 

[CountStrike]

PH Air Force to Get US C-130 on Sunday

07 Oktober 2016



C130T for PAF (photo : AMARG)

The fifth US Lockheed C-130 transport plane to be acquired by the Philippine Air Force will arrive in Cebu on Sunday.

The plane will touch down at Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Air Force spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco told reporters on Thursday.

The plane took off Thursday morning from Davis-Monthan Air Base in Tucson, Arizona.

The C-130 plane will boost the Air Force’s capability in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as transport of troops, relief goods and equipment.

The refurbished C-130 is the second of the two planes bought from the US at P1.6 billion through the Excess Defense Articles program. The first one arrived last April.

The number of C-130 planes in the Air Force inventory will be increased to five after the latest C-130 arrives. Other transport planes of the Air Force are three C-295 airbus and three Fokker F-27.

(Inquirer)

 

[CountStrike]

Second Japan-Made Patrol Vessel to Arrive in December

05 Oktober 2016


The second Parola-class patrol vessel will be named as BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) (photo : JCG)

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that its second Parola-class patrol vessel, 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessel (MRRV), is expected to sail to the Philippines this December and will be named as BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402).

“BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401), meanwhile, is now ready for her commissionship on October 12 during the celebration of the 115th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard,” PCG said.

BRP Tubbataha was delivered in August 2016, succeeding deliveries are expected every quarter until completion of 10 units in 2018.

Japan, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has granted the Philippine government Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan for the first phase of Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in 2013.

The said project is providing the PCG with 10 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs).

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the acquisition of two (2) heavy weather, high endurance 94-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) under the MSCIP Phase II.

(Update)

 

[CountStrike]

Manila, Moscow Near Deal on $12-m Choppers

08 Oktober 2016



Mil Mi-24/Mi-35 helicopter (photo : Dimitry Labutov)

THE Philippines is set to acquire two helicopters—each worth between $12 million and $17 million—as its initial purchase under a Russian-Philippine military acquisition program.

An insider ad Foreign Affairs Department told the Manila Standard that the Philippines is looking to purchase either two of Mi17 or Mi24 to improve the country’s capability against possible internal and external threats.

“We are looking of purchasing two to four Mi17 or Mi24. This is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s focus is more on internal security than external,” the source, who asked for anonymity, told the Manila Standard.

Although the Philippines is still window shopping, the source admitted that the Israel government is also pushing for their drones.

The heavily armored Russian helicopters are designed to withstand any kind of weather and are said to be low maintenance.

The choppers are also said to have defensive capabilities against portable surface-to-air attacks.

The source said Russia may offer a huge discounts and extended payment schemes could be arranged.

“It’s all just feelers at the moment. There are no negotiations yet,” the source said.

Recently, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the Philippines is looking to buy military equipment and technology from Russia.

He said the officials of Federal Service for Military-technical Cooperation (FSMTC) briefed them on the different modes of financing on acquiring militaty equipment or technology.

The ambassador said Philippine defense officials have established the kind of equipment they need for internal defense and counterterrorism, and that they were now canvassing to see if the systems that Manila needs are available from Russia.



Mi-17 helicopter (photo : Piotrek Bozyk)

The Philippines has been unable to procure the weapons it wants “because some countries don’t believe we can use these high-tech systems properly or because of certain country-specific conditionalities,” he said.

The only country so far with the available military technology and the willingness to sell it is Russia.

“They trust that we will use these in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.

Aside from the military equipment and technology, Sorreta said, both countries have discussed possible cooperation on training; after-sales service and maintenance; transfer of technology; investment in domestic military production and servicing; and different modes of financing.

The talks with Russia developed after Duterte met with Russian Ambassador Khovaev in Davao City a few days after the May 9 elections.

Khovaev said he was impressed by Duterte during a “very productive” meeting where they discussed how to jump-start Philippine-Russian relations which officially started only in 1976.

Khovaev said that it was “time for Russians to discover the Philippines, and it is time for the Philippines to discover Russia,” adding that strengthened trade cooperation could begin before the end of this year.

The Russian envoy said there is much potential in the two country’s bilateral ties because “there were no disputes and no contradictions.”

(The Manila Standard)

 

[Cossack25A1]

Manila, Moscow Near Deal on $12-m Choppers

08 Oktober 2016



Mil Mi-24/Mi-35 helicopter (photo : Dimitry Labutov)

THE Philippines is set to acquire two helicopters—each worth between $12 million and $17 million—as its initial purchase under a Russian-Philippine military acquisition program.

An insider ad Foreign Affairs Department told the Manila Standard that the Philippines is looking to purchase either two of Mi17 or Mi24 to improve the country’s capability against possible internal and external threats.

“We are looking of purchasing two to four Mi17 or Mi24. This is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s focus is more on internal security than external,” the source, who asked for anonymity, told the Manila Standard.

Although the Philippines is still window shopping, the source admitted that the Israel government is also pushing for their drones.

The heavily armored Russian helicopters are designed to withstand any kind of weather and are said to be low maintenance.

The choppers are also said to have defensive capabilities against portable surface-to-air attacks.

The source said Russia may offer a huge discounts and extended payment schemes could be arranged.

“It’s all just feelers at the moment. There are no negotiations yet,” the source said.

Recently, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said the Philippines is looking to buy military equipment and technology from Russia.

He said the officials of Federal Service for Military-technical Cooperation (FSMTC) briefed them on the different modes of financing on acquiring militaty equipment or technology.

The ambassador said Philippine defense officials have established the kind of equipment they need for internal defense and counterterrorism, and that they were now canvassing to see if the systems that Manila needs are available from Russia.



Mi-17 helicopter (photo : Piotrek Bozyk)

The Philippines has been unable to procure the weapons it wants “because some countries don’t believe we can use these high-tech systems properly or because of certain country-specific conditionalities,” he said.

The only country so far with the available military technology and the willingness to sell it is Russia.

“They trust that we will use these in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.

Aside from the military equipment and technology, Sorreta said, both countries have discussed possible cooperation on training; after-sales service and maintenance; transfer of technology; investment in domestic military production and servicing; and different modes of financing.

The talks with Russia developed after Duterte met with Russian Ambassador Khovaev in Davao City a few days after the May 9 elections.

Khovaev said he was impressed by Duterte during a “very productive” meeting where they discussed how to jump-start Philippine-Russian relations which officially started only in 1976.

Khovaev said that it was “time for Russians to discover the Philippines, and it is time for the Philippines to discover Russia,” adding that strengthened trade cooperation could begin before the end of this year.

The Russian envoy said there is much potential in the two country’s bilateral ties because “there were no disputes and no contradictions.”

(The Manila Standard)

I would prefer the Mi-24 than the Mi-17 as the armed Mi-17 is almost similar to the armed UH-1 whereas the Mi-24 is rather unique as it is heavily armed and at the same time, can be used to transport soldiers.

 

[pr1v4t33r]

I would prefer the Mi-24 than the Mi-17 as the armed Mi-17 is almost similar to the armed UH-1 whereas the Mi-24 is rather unique as it is heavily armed and at the same time, can be used to transport soldiers.

Mil Mi-17 will serve as transport helicopter, while Mil Mi-24 will serve as attack helicopter with limited transport capability. For transport purpose, Mi-17 have a much bigger capacity than UH-1 in PH inventory. Hence PH consider to try them both.

 

[CountStrike]

DND Set to Acquire Sophisticated Equipment, Missiles

10 Oktober 2016



Ambassadors of India, Russia and Israel have offered misile to Philippines (image : Brahmos Missile)


President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to look for other military markets for sophisticated weapons.

According to DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, ambassadors of India, Russia and Israel have offered some of their sophisticated equipment.

“Is it time for us to look for others for our military defense materials? It’s time. Many ambassadors already came to me, offering a lot of equipment. I see this as a healthy development with our relationship with other countries,” Lorenzana said, as quoted by Interaksyon.com.

The defense secretary also hinted the plan to acquire missile defense.

“We can also buy missiles from other countries like Germany, Israel and South Korea. We can also buy from France,” he said.

However, Lorenzana acknowledged, US-made materials and technology remain well-known world-wide.

(Tankler)

 

[Nike]

what happened to timawa.net ? http://timawa.net/

 

[pr1v4t33r]

what happened to timawa.net ? http://timawa.net/

Some said the Admin (Opus) is upset with current gov.

 

[Cossack25A1]

what happened to timawa.net ? http://timawa.net/

It may have something to do with the recent news about Duterte not raising the issue of Scarborough shoal when he goes to China and instead, he will ask the Chinese government (some see it as pleading to China, to Xi Jinping to be specific as he will be meeting him) to let Filipino fishermen to fish in the sea area around Scarborough shoal.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/148772-philippines-president-duterte-china-trip-scarborough-shoal

Strangely, he was supposed to visit Japan first but it ended up with him visiting China first then later Japan.

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Ten (10) Officers of the Philippine Air Force flew to Indonesia to attend the 6th Philippines-Indonesia Junior Officer Exchange Visit Program (PHIL-INDO JOEVP) conducted on September 26, 2016, which was hosted by the Indonesian Air Force (IDAF).

The PAF participants in the PHIL-INDO JOEVP are: Lt Col Perfecto R Magalong Jr. PAF (GSC), Lt Col Derrick S Ablog PAF, Lt Col Peter Adrian E Eslava PAF (GSC), Lt Col Jasper P Lepsot PAF, Maj Alexander C Ilagan PAF, Maj Archibald S Magbanua PAF, Maj Manuel Paolo A Lascano PAF, Maj Renee Faye P Montenegro PAF, Cpt Reina M Caraig PAF, and Cpt Julie B Barroga PAF.

Now on its 6th year, the PHIL-INDO JOEVP is an annual bilateral activity between the Philippines and Indonesia that aims to promote military cooperation, strengthen friendly relations, and more importantly, develop the capabilities of personnel of both countries vis-à-vis their respective Air Forces.

Upon arrival, the Assistant Chief of FLO, Maj Angel A Luntungan TNI, welcomed the PAF delegates. A courtesy call and briefing then followed where they were able to discuss the following: contractual obligation of pilots, standard training for newly recruit Officers, pilot qualification and promotion system, policy on assignment and re-assignment of Officers, multi-lateral working relationship with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, procurement system, Officer’s service obligations, C-130H aircraft simulator training policies and qualifications, and doctrine formulation and policies.

For the first two (2) days, the PAF delegates interacted with their respective counterparts from the IDAF and toured around the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) Air Force bases. During the activity, some PAF Officers got the opportunity to fly the IAF PUMA flight simulator.

They also conducted “live firings” of their munitions at Pintad Company, a weapons and ammunition firm, as well as, toured around the T Dirgantara Indonesia Company, an aircraft manufacturing firm, where they had the chance to observe their aircraft manufacturing laboratories including the two (2) nearly completed NC212i aircraft for the PAF.

They then visited the facility of the Indonesian Peace and Security Center (IPSC), Southeast Asia’s biggest peacekeeping and anti-terror training camp. Moreover, the PAF delegates paid a quick visit to two (2) significant TNI Air Force base facilities namely: the Halim Air Force Base (home of the transport aircraft), and the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base (home of the Helicopter Wing).