South Korea’s Samsung Techwin Sole Bidder for 8 Amphibious Assault Vehicles

Samsung Techwin KAAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles (photo : naver)

South Korea’s Samsung Techwin is the sole bidder for the DND-AFP’s eigth brand new amphibious assault vehicles. The firm’s offer is approximately PhP76 million lower than allocated budget of PhP2.5 billion.

If Samsung Techwin passes the qualification process, it will be required to completely deliver 8 brand new amphibious assault vehicles within 910 calendar days from effectivity of contract.

This is the second time DND held the bidding for the said vehicles, first one was a failure of bidding due to no firm joined the bidding.

(Angmalaya)

Two Frigates Undergoing Bidding Part of PN's Minimum Credible Defense Posture Program

Two additional frigates plus one more Hamilton-class cutter are in the pipeline of PN's program (photo : Militaryphotos)

MANILA (PNA) -- The two frigates, now undergoing bidding, is part of the Philippine Navy (PN)'s program which aims to provide the country with a minimum credible defense posture.

This was stressed by PN public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic in an interview with the PNA.

"The two frigates seek to provide the PN, and in connection, the Philippine Fleet, with a capability to defend and protect the country's territorial waters.

He was referring to the two missile-armed frigates now undergoing bidding for Php 18 billion.

These ships are expected to be in service in 2017 once the bidding is completed.

These ships will be armed with a variety of sensors and weapons capable of detecting and neutralizing air, surface, and submarine threats.

The brandnew frigates will also be capable of electronic warfare.

Aside from this, the frigates, according to their technical specifications, must be capable of performing of extended maritime patrol with an embarked naval helicopter and extended maritime surveillance capability through air-and-surface-search radar, and sound navigation and ranging (sonar) for sub-surface search.

He added that the ongoing acquisition process for the two frigates which will be armed and fitted a variety of air-to-air, anti-ship, and anti-submarine weapons and sensors, is part of the PN's envisioned force mix.

This includes six frigates for anti-air warfare, 12 corvettes for anti-submarine warfare, 18 offshore patrol vessels, three submarines, three anti-mine vessels, four sealift vessels, 18 landing craft utility vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault crafts that can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles.

Also included in the envisioned force mix are eight amphibious maritime patrol aicraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight multi-purpose helicopters.

The PN needs an estimated Php 497-billion to make this project a reality.

Earlier, PN spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said the country's presence in the West Philippine Sea will be boosted with the arrival of its more modern ships.

"With the two additional frigates plus one more Hamilton-class cutter in the pipeline, that will assure us of a 24/7 presence in the West Philippine Sea," Navy spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said. 

(PNA)

Navy Tankers to be Equipped with Defensive Armaments

The Philippine Navy's replenishment-at-sea capability will be greatly boosted with three tankers donated by the Philippine National Oil Corporation : PNOC Emilio Jacinto, PNOC Lapu-Lapu, and PNOC Dr. Jose Rizal (photo : b0000rdz)

MANILA, (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that the three tankers, donated by the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC), will be fitted with defensive armaments.

This was revealed by Navy public affairs office chief, Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, in an interview with PNA.

"All Navy ships, regardless of their roles, are always fitted with defensive armaments to protect themselves against possible attacks by hostile forces. And in the case of the tankers, defensive armaments are needed as they are carrying and transporting very valuable cargo," he said in Filipino.

Fabic declined to state what weapons will be fitted to these ships for security reasons.

However, military sources said that .50-caliber heavy machine guns and 20-mm automatic cannons can be fitted aboard these ships.

Earlier, Fabic said that the PNOC-donated tankers are now undergoing dry-dock at a secured and undisclosed location.

The three tankers are currently unnamed. For the moment they are called "Tanker 1", "Tanker 2" and "Tanker 3".

Fabic said these vessels will be commissioned by June or July.

The donation of the tankers was made possible after the PNOC and PN signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last March 26 at Naval Station Jose Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila which formalized the donation of the vessels for naval service.

In addition, the PNOC Shipping and Transport Corporation (PSTC) is required by the MOA to assist the PN with the familiarization on the navigation systems of the tankers as well as its machinery.

The tankers are currently dry-docked by the PN to ensure that the hull, powerplant, electrical and other fixtures of the vessels are in good condition. 

(PNA)

DND to Acquire Two Long-Range Patrol Aircraft

P 5,98 bio allocated for two brand new long range patrol aircraft (photo : Militaryphotos)

MANILA (PNA) -- In a bid to enhance the country's capabilities to protect and defend its airspace, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it is allocating the sum of P5,976,000,000 to acquire two brand-new long-range patrol aircraft.

The money will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund.

This includes sensors, sensor integration, mission support facilities and integrated logistic support, DND undersecretary Fernando Manalo said.

Winning bidders are required to deliver the aircraft within 1,035 calendar days upon receipt of the notice to proceed.

Manalo added that participants must have completed a similar project within the last 10 years.

First stage pre-bid conference is scheduled this coming May 30, 10 a.m. at the DND Bidding and Awards Committee conference room, right wing, basement room, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

First stage bid is slated for June 13, also 10 a.m. and in the above-mentioned room.

Manalo said that suppliers of the aircraft must also be the manufacturers themselves. 

(PNA)

DND Open Bidding for Six Close Air Support Aircraft

PAF needs 6 CAS aircraft (photo : Ralph Blok)

The DND through the General Appropriations Act and the AFP Modernization Act Trust Funds intends to apply the sum of 4,97 bio PhP being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Close Air Support Aircraft Acquisition Project including Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).

The plan is to acquire Close Air Support (CAS) air operations during day and night.

The CAS aircraft being offered must be used by the Armed Forces of the country of origin or by the Armed Forces of at least two (2) other countries. 

Delivery of 6 CAS aircraft is required within 540 days from the contract effectivity.

Bids must be delivered before on or June 11, 2014 and will be opened in the same day.

(Defense Studies)

4 PAF Pilots to Train in South Korea

KAI F/A-50 Golden Eagle (photo : KAI)

MANILA (PNA) -- Four Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots will be deployed to South Korea before year end to undergo familiarization training in the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) F/A-50 "Golden Eagle".

This was confirmed by Air Defense Wing official Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol in an interview Monday.

He added that these officers are relatively junior and only have the rank of captain and major.

Aside from this, these PAF officials relatively have high jet time compared to other pilots.

Okol said that these officials have accrued their jet time flying SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainers which double as attack aircraft of the PAF.

"These men will be rated as test pilots and operational pilots of the F/A-50s while those who only have 200 to 300 hours of jet hours will be first made to undergo F/A-50 simulator training before being trained and certified by our test pilots for F/A-50 operations," the PAF official said in Filipino.

Deployment of these PAF pilots to South Korea for training and familiarization briefing on the F/A-50 will be determined later, Okol said.

The Philippines and Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI) signed the P18.9 billion deal for 12 units of the F/A-50 last March 28.

Department of National Defense undersecretary for finance, modernization, installations, and munitions Fernando Manalo said that the first two F/A-50 jet aircraft will be delivered 18 months after the opening of the letter of credit, the next two will be delivered 12 months later and the remaining eight jet planes to be delivered in staggered basis within eight months.

The F/A-50 has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

The F/A-50 will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

See full article PNA

AFP to Start Construction of New Naval Base in Subic

Facilities for the naval base has been set in a 500-hectare area (photo : pdff)

SUBIC, Philippines—The government will allot P1 billion from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization fund for the construction of a new naval operating base in this town, according to Mayor Jefferson Khonghun.

Khonghun said on Wednesday the construction of a pier, warehouses and housing facilities for the naval base has been set to start this month in a 500-hectare area in Barangay Cawag. The site of the proposed base is near the shipyard of the Korean-owned Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd.-Philippines and the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Local government officials are very supportive of this and we’re fortunate to have a naval base in our town,” Khonghun told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He said the Subic town council on May 7 passed a resolution endorsing the project “without any objection.”

He said the proposed pier would be designed to accommodate “big and modern ships” of both the Philippine and American naval forces.

Khonghun said Philippine Navy officials have been coordinating with him about the construction of the naval base. The site was identified three weeks before the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed by Philippine and American officials last month.
“We (local officials) are the last to know about the project because the AFP had to secure first the necessary approval of all concerned agencies,” Khonghun said.

He said the members of the AFP’s engineering brigade have been scheduled to visit the site this month for the initial preparation of the construction of facilities.

Before retiring last month, Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, Philippine Navy flag officer in command, wrote Khonghun to confirm that the Navy had identified an area in Barangay (village) Cawag for the establishment of the naval operating base.

Alano’s April 14 letter said the new site would be close to the Hanjin shipyard and would cover private property that the government would buy. The letter also sought coordination and support from the local government.

“The site for the new naval base is very strategic because there are passable roads leading to it. Besides, it is near Bajo de Masinloc (the disputed Panatag or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea) so it will provide security to our local fishermen who were previously driven away by Chinese coast guard personnel,” Khonghun said.

He said Subic officials have met with Navy officials several times since April. Local officials, he said, supported the construction of the naval base “after considering national security and weighing the economic benefits” of the project.

A memorandum of agreement between the AFP and Subic officials will be signed next month for the construction of the base, according to Khonghun.

Roberto Garcia, chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, earlier confirmed that a portion of the Subic Bay Freeport would be used by the AFP in establishing its base in the free port.
Garcia said the SBMA would allow the AFP to use sections of the former naval facilities of the United States, including three wharves and ports and a portion of the old US naval air station.

(Inquirer)

DND Bids Out P5.4-B ASW Helicopter Project

AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat (image : AgustaWestland)


To increase the capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN), the Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it is allocating P5.4 billion for the acquisition of two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters.

The money will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Fund.

Acquisition of the two ASW helicopters are under the Medium Term Development Capability Plan for 2013 to 2017.

DND undersecretary Natalio C. Ecarma, Bidding and Awards Committee chair, said the contract includes munition, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistic support.

He added that the aircraft must be delivered within 730 calendar days.

Pre-bid conference is slated this May 20 at the DND Bidding and Awards Committee conference room, basement right wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

First stage will be at June 3 and with second stage bidding to be announced later.

The PN earlier announced that it is looking at the possibility of acquiring the AW-159 "Wildcat" as its ASW helicopters.

The Navy is in the market for two ASW helicopters.

This is part of the country's Medium Term Defense Acquisition List for the next four years.

The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

It has a crew of two, has a maximum speed of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel)

The AW-159 is fitted with forward firing CRV7 rockets and machine guns, pintle mounted machine gun, Sea Skua missiles and Sting-Ray torpedoes and depth charges.

The acquisition process for these ASW helicopters is expected to go on full gear once the PN completes its five AW-109 order deal from AgustaWestland by the third quarter of 2014.

(PNA)

Philippine Hopes to Seal P2.68-B radar Deal with Israel

P2.68 billion radar that will be used to monitor disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea. (image : IAI)

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hopes to complete this month negotiations for the acquisition of three Israeli-made aerial radars worth P2.68 billion that will be used to monitor disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea.

Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac told The STAR that department officials have completed the pre-negotiations for the project, which seeks to boost the country’s capability to detect aerial intrusions.

“We have finished the pre-negotiations. That was actually a marathon negotiation for two weeks,” Batac said.

“Hopefully within May, we can finish (formal negotiations) because we are really putting priority to this,” he added.

The three radars would be acquired from Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. -Elta through government-to-government transaction.

“This is very important. This should precede the acquisition of all our air defense aircraft. We have to have the eyes, the ability to detect intrusions into our airspace before we can even scramble our air assets,” Batac said.

“We cannot let our fighters roam around our skies because it would be too costly. We scramble them on the basis of a detection report which is done by the radars,” he added.

Batac, however, said that they could only start the talks once the special allotment release order (SARO) for the project is released.

“We cannot enter into formal negotiations until we have the SARO because the moment we enter into formal negotiations, there are already commitments both on the part of the supplier and us. There are some things which are to be prepared by us when the equipment arrives,” he said.

Such requirements, Batac said, include roads leading to the site of the radar station and basing support facilities.

President Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin have to approve the project’s terms of reference, he added.

The pre-negotiation for the project was finished last March, about two weeks after a Philippine delegation led by Gazmin visited Israel.

Defense officials from the Philippines and Israel have signed an implementing agreement that provides the guidelines for the formal negotiations.

Batac said the radars could also be used for civil aviation purposes, noting that the country derives income from aircraft flying within its airspace.

“We have to have a basis other than their (aircraft) reporting to track their entry and exit from our flight information region,” he said.

Last February, Israel offered to provide excess defense articles to the Philippines, widely viewed as one of the weakest in the region in terms of military capability.

The matter was discussed during a bilateral meeting of Gazmin and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon in Tel Aviv.

Israel also offered assistance in the development of command, control, communications, computers and intelligence capabilities.

Meanwhile, the military vowed to continue boosting the morale of soldiers guarding the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal following the successful air drop of food supplies in the area last Saturday.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said that the Marines stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, the rusty ship that ran aground in the shoal and serves as a makeshift military detachment in the area, were given the sensitive task of defending Philippine sovereignty.

“We won’t neglect them. They have an important role to do and that is protect our national interest,” Zagala said in a phone interview.

“They can expect more morale-boosting support. (We will deliver) not just supplies but letters and presents from civilians. Those little things are very important to them,” he added.

China has deployed about five Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal, making it difficult for the Philippines to deliver supplies through civilian ships.

(Philstar)

DND to Recommend Only 2 Philippine Military Bases Under EDCA

Subic Bay naval base (photo : US Navy)

MANILA (PNA) -- Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary and Philippine panel negotiation chair Pio Lorenzo Batino on Friday announced that they are looking at the possibility of offering only two Philippine military bases for American use under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

"The direction of the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is to recommend only the usage of only two military bases, (those) agreed locations as defined under the EDCA and we believe these number of locations will already be sufficient to implement the objectives of the EDCA," he said.

"And number two, the direction of the DND and the AFP when identifying the agreed locations would be to limit and delineate only a limited portion or a limited area of the agreed AFP base which would be shared to the US, it will not be the whole AFP base identified as we need that AFP base," Batino pointed out.

The DND official also clarified that they will also study the areas that will be allocated for the EDCA before declaring it for that purpose.

He declined to comment on how many US soldiers will be deployed to camps as these are operational matters.

"These are operational details, (I) can't just talk about troops (as) these are operational details that differ every year depending on activities approved by the AFP and the Pacific Command through the Mutual Defense Board and the Security Board so we cannot (just give) definite numbers of US troops coming in and out our country," Batino added. 

(PNA)

DND Admits Indian, French Shipbuilders to Frigate Program

Morocco Navy's Mohammed V frigate built by STX France. (photo : US Navy)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) accepted the motions for reconsideration of two foreign shipbuilding firms that seek to join the bidding for Philippine Navy's frigate program, a Navy official said.

India state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Ltd. and STX France, SA from Europe joined the P18-billion project to boost the country's maritime forces with new warships, Navy technical working group head Commodore Roland Mercado said in a state news report on Thursday.

DND earlier excluded the firms from the program due to deficiency in documents, but were recently reconsidered by the agency's Special Bidding Awards Committee after  renewing their application.

The firms now join Navantia Sepi (RTR Ventures) of Spain, and South Korean contractors STX Offshore and Shipbuilding, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Heavy Industries, Inc. which have passed the first stage of the bidding process.

Mercado said the Defense officials are now conducting technical discussions with Garden Reach and STX France. The discussions will aid DND to draft final technical specifications of the required frigates, Mercado explained.

He added that the committee was also tasked to closely scrutinize the hull, power plant, communications systems and weapons systems in the frigate designs submitted.

(PhilStar)

Philippine Navy Eyes French Frigates

The French frigate F-731 Prairial is seen docked in Manila’s South Harbor yesterday (photo : PhilStar)

MANILA, Philippines - Amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the government is looking at French frigates for the Philippine Navy’s use.

Naval officials were given a tour yesterday of the French Navy’s surveillance frigate Prairial – a 93.5-meter ship with both military and civilian characteristics, making it ideal for multiple purposes including disaster relief and other humanitarian missions, operations against piracy and international drug trafficking, and territorial patrol.

The Prairial is one of two French warships deployed in the Pacific – one in Tahiti and the other in New Caledonia.

F-731 Prairial (photo : Chris Howell)

Prairial Commander Frederic Daumas said at a reception on the ship last night that the frigate, with 93 crewmembers, has performed well in various weather conditions including hurricanes since being commissioned in May 1992, and would last many more years.

The Prairial is armed with 20 mm and 100 mm guns and Exocet surface-to-air missiles, and carries a transport craft, three boats and one Alouette III helicopter.

An information sheet on the frigate states: “Their main duty is to patrol overseas maritime zones over which France implements its sovereignty. In peace time, they enforce navigational police, control fishery and protect trade traffic.”

F-730 class frigates (image : meretmarine)

Daumas said his crew would conduct joint exercises with the Philippine Navy tomorrow in Manila Bay before the frigate leaves for Hong Kong.

The Prairial, which arrived Monday from Guam for its seventh port call in Manila, is on the fourth month of a seven-month deployment. It will also visit China, Japan and South Korea before returning to Tahiti.

Several months ago, the Philippine government considered acquiring coast guard patrol boats from France, but the plan did not push through.

(PhilStar)

Philippine to Buy More Planes for Air Force

The Armed Forces would purchase eight combat utility helicopters, six close air support aircraft, two-long range patrol aircraft, and radar systems. (photo : Koreaaero)

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Friday unveiled a plan to acquire more aircraft to boost the capability of the Philippine Air Force.

Presiding over the Air Force change of command in Lipa City, the President said the Armed Forces would purchase eight combat utility helicopters, six close air support aircraft, two-long range patrol aircraft, and radar systems.

“We intend to buy also full-motion flight simulator to improve the training of our pilots,” he said in a speech aired over state-run dzRB radio.

These are on top of the new FA-50 from South Korea that will be delivered to the Air Force next year, Mr. Aquino said.

“In 2005, we retired our last F-5 freedom fighter. It’s our wish to enhance the capability of our pilots to fly this type of aircraft for military operations,’’ he said.

Last month, the military signed contracts for the acquisition of 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets worth P18.9-billion from South Korea and eight combat utility helicopters worth P4.8-billion from Canada.

Under the watch of Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz, who retired as Air Force chief on Friday, the PAF acquired a number of aircraft. It now boasts of three C-130 transports, eight combat utility helicopters, and 18 basic trainer aircraft, the President said.

Dela Cruz turned over his post to Major General Jeffrey Delgado, AFP deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. Delgado is a former senior military aide to the President.

The President did not make any reference to a defense agreement allowing increased US military presence that is widely believed to be signed during President Obama’s visit on Monday.

Reports say that the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation will be the cornerstone of Obama’s visit to the country.

Under the deal, the Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to the country’s military bases in the face of China’s increasing aggressiveness in the South China Sea.

Philippine authorities will have access to US facilities inside local military bases.

The President said the new Air Force chief, a member of the Presidential Security Group during the term of then President Corazon C. Aquino, was a multi-skilled pilot who survived two air crashes.

He said Delgado was among a few pilots who could fly a combination of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and was a qualified pilot for combat aircraft T-28D and MG520, trainer aircraft T-41D and SF -260, and co-pilot of the passenger aircraft BN Islander.

“The report that reached us was that two planes he flew crashed due to engine failure, including one that nearly cost him his life,” he said. “Despite the dangers of flying, he did not opt out of public service.”

(Inquirer)

Navy Conducting Sonar Studies

The objective of the project is to absorb the sonar technology (operation and maintenance) in preparation for the development of a morecomplex system (photo : Brunei Mindef)

With sonar playing an invaluable role in maritime defense, the Naval Research and Development Center (NRDC) announced that it is conducting its own sonar studies with the goal of developing indigenous ones for the country.

Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, Philippine Navy spokesperson, said that this is under the NRDC’s Project “Ilalim” (Filipino for under).

“Project ‘Ilalim’ involves the study of sonar systems of platforms included in Defense Acquisition System projects (ex. Frigate and others),” he added.

The objective is to absorb the sonar technology (operation and maintenance) in preparation for the development of a morecomplex type of fixed or mobile underwater monitoring system thru re-engineering, Fabic pointed out.

Sonar (originally an acronym for Sound Navigation And Ranging) is a technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels.

Two types of technology share the name “sonar”: passive sonar is essentially listening for the sound made by vessels; active sonar is emitting pulses of sounds and listening for echoes.

Sonar may be used as a means of acoustic location and of measurement of the echo characteristics of “targets” in the water. 

(The Manila Times)

Navy to Build Own Radars

Its own radar  to secure the country's vast airspace from intruders (photo : US Navy)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy is now planning to construct its own radar sets in a bid to fully secure the country's vast airspace from intruders with the assistance of the Naval Research and Development Center (NRDC).

This is under the NRDC's Project "Itaas" (Filipino for high ground), PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.

This project is aimed at creating quality radar sets for all fleet units.

He added that Project "Itaas" is one of the five priority projects of the NRDC.

The other four programs include sonar equipment creation capability under Project "Ilalim" (literally meaning underwater), platforms under Project "Kuyog" (group) and the way ahead Project of NRDC, the satellite project under Project "Tuktuk" (surveillance) and Project "Putok" (explosives) for creation of modern munitions.

PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said that these projects are primarily designed to support the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy which focuses mainly on the enhancement of maritime situational awareness and maritime operations.

These projects, when successfully pursued and executed through the partnership from the triad members, will mark a distinctive level of significance to the ideal of raising the PN’s level of research and development through the absorption of new technologies.

"This will pave the way to prevent the country from being technologically outwitted by any adversary," Alano concluded. 

(PNA)

DND Sets Rebidding for 8 Amphibious Assault Vehicles

The new eight AAV will replace LVTH6 in the Philippine Marine Corps (photo : Timawa)

MANILA -- Due to a failed bidding back in November, the Department of National Defense (DND) has called for a second round of bidding for eight new amphibious assault vehicles worth P2.5 billion.

Assistant Defense Secretary Efren Fernandez said the pre-bid conference will be on April 29, while the deadline and consequent opening of the bids will be on May 15 at 10 a.m.

Only one firm purchased bid documents last year, Samsung Techwin of South Korea. It did not tender a bid, however, because it failed to satisfy several requirements.

“Bidders should have completed within 10 years, from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project,” Fernandez said.

The bidding is open to both local and foreign firms.

The vehicles, which will be part of the Philippine Navy assets, should be delivered within 910 days upon opening of the letter of credit.

The bidding will be conducted via open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the implementing rules and regulations of the Government Procurement Act.

In case the public bidding fails several times, there is a government-to-government negotiation option.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Gerald Fabic had said the amphibious assault vehicles will boost the capability of the Navy for its fleet-marine operations.

(ABS CBN News)