Monday, January 22, 2018

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Flies the FA-50, Vows Support To PAF Modernization


The Philippine Air Force conducted an FA-50PH Tactical Capability Demonstration Flight with General Rey Leonardo B Guerrero, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the Air Defense Alert Center, Clark Air Base, Pampanga on January 18, 2018.

Upon his arrival, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Galileo Gerard R Kintanar Jr AFP, together with the City Council of Commanders received the CS, AFP in front of Haribon Building. He was then escorted by the Commander of Air Defense Command and Wing Commander of 5th Fighter Wing to Bay 1 Hangar where he was welcomed by the corps of fighter pilots. 


Photo by PIO - Philippine Air Force

General Guerrero, who was flown aboard a FA-50 jet by one of the PAF pilots who saw action in Marawi, was joined by LtGen Emmanuel B. Salamat, NOLCOM Commander in the activity which validated their high regard to the capabilities of PAF's newest acquisition. General Guerrero also gave his commitment to PAF's future big ticket acquisitions after observing a simulated bombing activity that spotlighted the accuracy of the aircraft's on board aerial firepower, fighting capability and technology.

After the flight, the FA-50PH aircraft recovered at Clark International Airport and taxied to park at Haribon Building for a ceremonial and beer toasting in honor of the CS, AFP. He was then awarded with a Mach 1+ patch, Mach Buster Plaque, and FA-50PH patch as a proof that he flew a speed of Mach 1.2 or around 1, 482 kilometers per hour flight.


Philippine Defense News
World of Tanks - Play Here!

The modernization of the country's air power has gained another strong endorsement after General Guerrero urged to continue the modernization of the PAF during the said activity.

The acquisition of FA-50, one of PAF's workhorses that was considered by AFP ground commanders as the game changer during the Marawi campaign, will soon be sharing attention with multi-role fighters that are planned to be acquired by the Philippine Air Force.

Original article by Philippine Air Force.

http://bit.ly/Security_Bank_Philippines

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Philippine Soldiers receive 3000 protective eyewear for combat


Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero (right) through Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana (third from left), receives the protective eyewear from Mr. Sabin Aboitiz (second from left) who donated a total of 3,000 for soldiers in combat operations in a handover ceremony Monday, 15 January 2018 at the DND Social Hall. (Photo by SN1 Donald Viluan/PAOAFP)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the Department of National Defense (DND) received the second batch of protective eyewear meant for soldiers engaged in combat operations on the ground.

Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero received the Delta Plus safety glasses from Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. led by Mr. Sabin Aboitiz in a ceremonial handover ceremony held today, 15 January, 2018 at the DND Social Hall here.

Some 700 pieces were initially turned over to soldiers in Marawi City at the height of the battle against Deash - Maute terrorists to protect frontline troops from eye injury resulting from IED explosions, debris, and shrapnel.

A total of 3,000 safety eyewear were turned over to the Philippine Army for use of soldiers in combat operations.

“We in the Aboitiz Group appreciate very much the sacrifices made by our soldiers. We can never thank them enough for their service and sacrifice that they have done for the country,” Mr. Aboitiz said. "On behalf of our One Defense Team, I thank the Aboitiz Group for giving protective eyewear for our frontline troops...

http://bit.ly/Security_Bank_Philippines

It should be noted that this donation demonstrates the strong cooperation and collaboration that has always existed between the private sector and the government. Aside from being a tangible and visible indicator of our joint efforts, it demonstrates our concern and love for our valiant soldiers who continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom and who continuously face threats at sea and on land,” Lorenzana said.

The DND notes that in modern combat operations, the risk of soldiers incurring damage to their eyes is very high, leading to either partial or total blindness or a lifetime of disability and suffering, not just for the soldiers but for the families as well. This was evident in places like Marawi and in other areas where soldiers operate.

The Aboitiz Group’s donation is not only timely but significant as well because it will augment our current efforts to boost the AFP’s capability to conduct focused, surgical, and sustained military
operations.

Source: DND Press Release 1/15/2018

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Recovered Marine Soldier in Marawi battle gets Military Honors


The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) on Wednesday accorded military honors to a fallen comrade who earlier went missing-in-action last June 9 during initial government efforts to retake Marawi City from the Maute Group terrorists.

Capt. Maria Rowena Dalmacio, PMC spokesperson, identified the fallen Marine as Pvt. Alejandro A. Balean who was reported missing after an encounter with undetermined number of Maute Group terrorists commanded by Abdulla Maute at the vicinity of Mapandi Bridge, Barangay Daguduban of the above-mentioned city.

She added Balean's remains arrived at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City from Iligan City Tuesday night.

Dalmacio said Balean was a member of 7th MC, Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 and was among the Marines who fought together with the late 1st Lt. John Frederick Savellano and 1st Lt. Raymund Abad.

The five-month battle for Marawi resulted in the deaths of 920 terrorists and 165 troopers and 47 civilians.

Accounts from the survivors said that Balean fell into the Agus River while their platoon was maneuvering against the enemy. Attempts by his fellow Marines to rescue him proved futile against the strong current and strong enemy gun fire.

Balean's fate was eventually determined after a senior police officer in Marawi City on Aug. 3 informed his unit that an unidentified and badly decomposed cadaver wearing a "PBDU" lower pants, olive drab shirt, tactical belt, black pouch, and wooden beads bracelets with "Kamay ni Jesus" markings was recovered at Barangay Rurog Agus, Marawi City.

Dalmacio said that Balean's unit immediately coordinated with the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives and resulted in the cadaver being brought to Capin Funeral Homes, Iligan City for forensic examination and DNA identification.

Subsequent DNA testing, with results released on Dec. 4, indicated that the body was the missing Balean.



Original article by Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Philippine Coast Guards Fast Patrol Boats this 2018

I've chance upon today an article shared by a Facebook page named "Defense Review", contents was about the selection of OCEA to supply 4 fast patrol boats and 1 offshore patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard. So I was looking for the source article but it wasn't on the FB post. I tried searching online and it pointed me to an article posted January 8, 2018 at NavyRecognition.com entitled "OCEA to Supply Patrol Boats and OPV to Philippines Coast Guards".

So I said to myself, Cool! I have the source article, but something was still bugging me with the article, since I haven't encountered any news from our local media outlets regarding this purchase. So I went back to the google search results and all of the articles were from 2014, except for 1, the article was from the Diplomat dated September 13, 2017 and entitled "When will the Philippines Get its New French Vessels?"

So this project was really from 2014. According to the Diplomat, the project was formalized with a contract signing between the Department of Transportation and French shipbuilder OCEA in September 2014. The Philippines was expected to receive 5 ships - one (1) 82 meter Offshore Patrol Vessel and four (4) 24 meter fast patrol boats. It also includes a five-year preventive maintenance, spare parts for five years, and technical assistance and training for the crew.

The project moved along even with the change of administration back in 2016. Sometime around April, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade visited the OCEA shipyard in Sables d’Olonne, France to inspect the four 24-meter fast patrol boats.

Then on September 6, Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Felipe Judan and OCEA’s director of maritime safety and security, Fabrice Weinbach, signed the contract effectiveness agreement for the acquisition of the vessels. The signing was witnessed by Secretary Arthur Tugade and French Embassy representative Laurent Estrade.

The first fast patrol boat is expected to be delivered to the Philippines after eight months, with remaining ones arriving in succession after a 45-day delivery gap, and the OPV arriving up to 23 months following the signing of the contract, according to the Diplomat.

After reading the Diplomat article, I tried to look again for the source of the January 8, 2018 article that was posted in the Navy Recognition website, so I went to the OCEA SSM website which is the website for OCEA's Maritime Safety & Security. And there I found the source, the manufacturer themselves. The article was entitled "World Premier - an 84 meter OPV in Aluminum". It highlighted a portion of the project and as well as the capabilities of the ships.

FPB 72MKII

Photo from OCEA SSM website.

The 24 meter fast patrol boats model name is FPB 72MKII. OCEA already delivered a number of these to Nigeria (2) and Suriname (1). The Philippines will be its 3rd user with the most number of ships for this model.

According to the manufacturers website, the FPB 72MKII will have a speed of 20-35 knots and a range of 600NM @ 12 knots. Crew of 8 plus an additional 3 personnel. The FPB is designed to operate in territorial waters and EEZ's

OPV 270

Photo from OCEA SSM website.

The OPV 270 is an 84 meter vessel designed to patrol exclusive economic zones. It can stay on patrol for 30-45 days and has a range of 4,500-8,000NM @ 12 knots. Ship speeds will be in the 20-30 knots. Crew size of 44, plus an additional 26 personnel, and can carry another 35 survivors during rescue situations.

According to OCEA the vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2018 for the 4 FPB 72MKII and in 2019 for the OPV 270.


Can we add more OPV 270's for the coast guard? What do you think?

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

2 deliveries in 2018 to beef up Philippine Navy's capability

Two more platforms which will help boost the Philippine Navy (PN)'s capabilities to defend the country's vast maritime domains are expected to be delivered this 2018. This was bared by Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong when sought for an update on other deliverable items for the PN this year.

3 MPAC mk3's with Spike ER System

This has been discussed already in the AFP Modernization 2017 Highlights article.  

First among the deliverables is the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd's Spike ER (extended range) missile systems which will be fitted on three of the Navy's brand-new multi-purpose assault craft (MPAC) which was activated last May 22.

The weapons are on anti-ship mode meaning it can engage surface vessel targets and is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles. And while not giving the exact dates for the delivery of the missiles and its platforms for security purpose, Andolong said the weapons would be delivered to the country "very early in the first quarter of the year."

The missiles and launchers were supposed to be delivered by December but this did not materialize due to some transportation issues.

AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat"


Philippine Navy AW-159
Photo from Leonardo Company
Second on the deliverables for the Philippine Navy are two brand-new AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters which are expected to arrive the last quarter of 2018 and early 2019, Andolong added. He did not further elaborate on what weapons and surveillance systems the AW-159s would be carrying for security reasons.

The above-mentioned helicopters will be based on the two frigates on order from Hyundai Heavy Industries. 

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 an auxiliary fuel tank).


Original article from the Philippine News Agency

http://bit.ly/Security_Bank_Philippines



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