The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gained momentum in 2017, as contracts for new aircraft, weapons and platforms were signed, while other items were delivered during the year.
The A-29 “Super Tucano” light attack aircraft, made by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Defense and Security, is one of those shiny new purchases.
Department of National Defense public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said the Philippines would acquire six Super Tucanos worth P4.968 billion. Funds would be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund. Notice to proceed for the project was issued in the first week of December, he added.
The Super Tucano A-29 was selected after a rigorous public bidding process that saw several manufacturers from different countries participate, Andolong said. The aircraft complies with the stringent technical specifications required by the Philippine Air Force, he added.
The A-29 “is a durable, versatile, and highly advanced aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions” and can even operate on unimproved runways, the Defense spokesman added.
Deliveries of the A-29s are expected to commence in 2019.
The Super Tucanos are expected to augment or even replace the 10 ageing Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco” attack planes being used by the PAF in close-air support missions.
Andolong said the Super Tucanos would be turned over and operated by the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing based in Sangley Point, Cavite City.
The 15th Strike Wing is the operator of all the Air Force’s ground attack aircraft, including the venerable Broncos and assorted armed helicopters.
Sidewinders purchased
Another welcome development for the PAF is the contract signing for the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air missiles, which will be used to arm the country’s 12 South Korean-made FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” currently being used as fighter and attack aircraft.
Incidentally, the Mach 1.5-capable FA-50s were used as ground-attack aircraft during the five-month battle to retake Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group terrorists, which started May 23 and ended Oct. 23 this year.
“Notice to Proceed was issued to Diehl Raytheon of Germany last August 31. The ‘Sidewinder’ contract is worth P1,016,734,088,” Andolong added.
He declined toa give the specific number and delivery dates of the missiles for security reasons, but said the weapons “are sufficient for all of the country’s FA-50s.”
The first two FA-50s were delivered on Nov. 28, 2015, with the last two being handed over by Korea Aerospace Industries in May. The 12 South Korean-made jets are worth P18.9 billion.
Meanwhile, the AIM-9s to be acquired are “all live rounds and fresh from the factory,” meaning all its sensors, rocket motors and warheads are brand new, Andolong said.
With the delivery of the missiles, the FA-50s will now have another weapon for air-to-air combat aside from its internal 20mm cannon, making it more capable of protecting the country’s airspace against airborne threats.
The AIM-9, which was developed by the US Navy in the 1950s, is one of the world’s most reliable and successful air-to-air missiles.
It utilizes infrared homing for guidance and tracking, and has a top speed of Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound. Its warhead weighs around 20 pounds, and the missile has a length of nearly 10 feet.
Other deliverables
On the deliverables side, the Philippine Navy on May 8 took delivery of its second strategic sealift vessel (SSV), the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the sister ship of the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), which was delivered and commissioned in 2016.
The former was constructed by Indonesian shipyard PT PAL (Parser) and commissioned into service last May 31. She was named the “Davao Del Sur” in honor of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, which is in the province.
“It gives due recognition to the province as sanctuary of natural wonders and rarities like the country’s highest peak Mount. Apo, the most prized Philippine orchid Vanda Sanderiana, and the endangered Philippine Eagle,” Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said.
Also, the namesake takes inspiration from a former PN vessel of the same name, notable for its accomplishments during the 1980s.
“Naming the vessel after Davao Del Sur is consistent with its predecessor, BRP Tarlac (LD-601), which was also named after a province,” Lincuna added.
The ship was launched last Sept. 29. Together with the BRP Tarlac, the ships are currently the largest Filipino warships in commission. Both ships have an overall length of 120 meters, breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters, and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons.
The vessels have a cruising speed of 13 knots, maximum speed of 16 knots, and a minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles. Both SSVs have a contract price of P4 billion.
The ships can carry 500 troops each, besides two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units, and three helicopters apiece. The pair was extensively used to transport troops and their equipment during the Marawi City campaign.
The Navy also took delivery of three additional multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) last May 22, bringing the number of MPACs in the PN inventory to nine.
However, these naval craft are not the average MPACs, as its has provisions for the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.’s Spike ER (extended range) missile systems, making them the first Filipino warships to be armed with these weapons.
The contract for the three ships is P270 million. The weapons are on anti-ship mode, meaning it can engage surface vessel targets, and are capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor with a maximum range of five miles.
Former Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado—who was suddenly fired just after Christmas—earlier said the missiles and their launchers would arrive before Christmas. However, both Andolong and the Navy chief had yet to confirm the arrival of the weapons.
All these defense equipment and items were acquired during the AFP Modernization Program Horizon One program, which started in 2013 and ends this year.
Other equipment acquired during Horizon One are the two Hamilton-class cutters (renamed the Del Pilar-class frigates), six MPACs, 114 armored personnel carriers, three brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft, two C-130 heavy transports, five utility versions of the Agusta Westland AW-109 helicopters, eight Westland attack versions, and five landing craft heavies.
Horizon Two will start in 2018 and end in 2022, while Horizon Three will commence from 2023 to 2028.
The last two phases involve bolstering the AFP’s external defense capabilities, and includes the acquisition of multi-role fighters, missile batteries, diesel-electric submarines, and more modern detection and surveillance systems.