Philippine Air Force FA-50's Maintenance Projects

Philippine Air Force to acquire radar transmitter for 2nd FA-50PH

File Photo of Philippine Air Force FA-50

 The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is setting aside PHP 105 million for the acquisition of a radar transmitter needed for the maintenance of FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" light-lift fighter trainer with tail number 002.

In a bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, submission and opening of bids is scheduled on May 8, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the same bid bulletin.

The PAF's 12 plane-order with Korea Aerospace Industries is worth PHP18.9 billion.

The first two aircraft, with tail numbers 001 and 002, were delivered on Nov. 28, 2015 while the last two, 011 and 012, were delivered on May 31, 2017.The FA-50PHs have 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" heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.


Article source: Philippine News Agency

Php 23-M allocated for repair of Philippine Air Force FA-50PH

The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its Bids and Awards Committee, is allocating the sum of PHP23,216,000 for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of the "crew escape system" of an FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" light-lift fighter trainer.

The pre-bid conference is slated April 26, 1 p.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

The submission and opening of bids is on May 8, 9 a.m. at the same venue.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website.

The PAF's 12 plane-order with Korea Aerospace Industries is worth PHP18.9 billion. The first two aircraft were delivered last Nov. 28, 2015 while the last two were delivered on May 31, 2017.The FA-50PHs have 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.

Article source: Philippine News Agency

 

Philippine Air Forcce News - April 19, 2018

Basa Air Force to serve as home base for PAF’s FA-50 fighter jets

The Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga will start operating and housing the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s 12 FA-50 PH "Fighting Eagle" light-lift fighter trainers by fourth quarter this year.

The move is in coordination with the PAF's "Balik Basa" program, 5th Fighter Wing public information officer Lt. Gary Regalado said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.

"Basa Air base will re-establish itself as the PAF's first line of air defense against all threats both foreign and domestic. Moving the FA-50s back to Basa ensures that we become the center of air defense operations here in the Philippines," he added.

The 5th Fighter Wing is the PAF unit tasked with fast jet operations and air defense.

file photo

Philippine Air Force FA-50PH spare parts and Philippine Army to recruit more

Philippine Air Force earmarks P15-M fund for FA-50PH jet spare parts

(File Photo) Credits to the owners of the photo

The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its Bids and Awards Committee, is allocating the sum of PHP15,289,000 for the acquisition of spares and components needed for the maintenance of its Mach 1.5 capable FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" jet aircraft.

The submission and opening of bids is scheduled on March 13, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

"All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference/s, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)," PAF BAC chair Brig. Gen. Erickson Gloria said in a post at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website.

 Article source: Philippine News Agency

 Philippine Army to recruit 6,100 troops this year

The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday announced that it is opening 6,100 slots in line with efforts to strengthen its field units.

"The Army recently approved the opening of 3,600 annual regular quota and an additional 2,500 for 2018. There is now a total of 6,100 slots opened. Out of the total number of recruits, 5 percent is allocated for female recruits and another 5 percent from the indigenous peoples," PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said.

He added that additional recruits will be filling up the troop requirements for the conceptualized activation of 10 new Infantry Battalions and one Scout Ranger Battalion.

"As of today, seven out of the 10 Infantry Battalions and the Scout Ranger Battalion have already been activated. These additional Army units aim to further strengthen the Army’s capability in addressing the various threats, particularly terrorism besetting the country," Villanueva pointed out.

The recruitment is now on-going and the training will start not later than June 2018. Interested applicants may visit the Army recruitment centers located in Cagayan De Oro City, Cebu City, and Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Also, interested individuals may also browse the PA website or visit the nearest Army base in their respective localities for inquiries and other details.

Article source: Philippine News Agency

 

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.

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.

AFP Modernization 2017: Highlights and Review

The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was on a roll this year, as we've seen a few big ticket items having completely delivered this year. Game changers as they say, these new assets have proven their capabilities both in combat and humanitarian missions.

Here's a brief on everything what we know about the AFP modernization this 2017.

Philippine Air Force 

FA-50PH

The final batch of the FA-50PH Lead-In Fighter Trainers have been successfully delivered by the Korean Aerospace Industries last May. The last batch of 2 arrived on May 31st at Clark Air Base. The contract consist of 12 FA-50's at the price of Php 18.9 billion. AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla mentioned on a March 23 article in Inquirer that there are plans to purchase 6 more additional FA-50's if the funding allows it and if the performance is good.

FA-50PH Weapons - AIM-9 Air-to-air Missiles

Aside from the aircraft itself the Department of National Defense also ordered AIM-9 "Sidewinder" missiles from German manufacturer Diehl Raytheon with a contract price of Php 1,016,734,088. The notice to proceed was issued on August 31st. Department of National Defense Public Affairs Office Chief Arsenio Andolong said that these missiles are going to be "factory fresh".

FA-50PH Flight Simulators

The Department of National Defense also ordered flight simulators for the FA-50PH from its manufacturer, Korean Aerospace Industries. The package will consist of a cockpit system, navigation system, video system, manuals, repair parts and support equipment. The delivery is expected in 2019 and contract price is Php 376 million.

6 Super Tucano's for Close Air Support

Last November the DND awarded Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Defense and Security for the contract to supply 6 light attach aircraft  with a contract price of Php 4.968 billion. Expected delivery will be on 2019. Aside from close air support missions the aircraft's will also be used in surveillance and counter-insurgency missions.

Philippine Navy

 

Delivery of second Strategic Sealift Vessel

The Philippine Navy's second amphibious landing dock vessel BRP Davao Del Sur LD-602 arrived in May. Based on the Makassar class ships, the Tarlac-class BRP Davao Del Sur was built by PT PAL Indonesia. Contract price for the 2 ships is Php 4 billion. The Tarlac-class of ships can carry up to 500 troops, 2 landing crafts, 3 helicopters, and 2 rigid-hull inflatable boats. Both 601 and 602 have been used in both humanitarian missions and in support of combat operations.

5 TC-90 Beechcraft surveillance aircraft

Five refurbished TC-90's was donated to the Philippine Navy after bilateral talks with the Japanese Government during the sidelines of the ASEAN summit last November. 2 of the TC-90's are already being operated by the Philippine Navy since March and the remaining 3 will be delivered in the first quarter of 2018.

Additional 3 MPAC Mk 3 

Last May the Philippine Navy activated 3 Mk 3 Multi-Purpose Attack Craft into its inventory. The Php 270 million project was undertaken by Propmech Corporation and Taiwan-based Lung Teh Shipbuilding Corporation.

Spike ER Missile System for the MPAC

Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd will install Spike Missile systems on an undetermined number of the Navy's MPAC. Scheduled to arrive this December but was postponed and rescheduled for delivery this coming January 2018. The delivery was postponed due to the unavailability of transport assets from the Philippine Air Force as it was focused on humanitarian missions ferrying relief supplies to typhoon affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

[UPDATE: added on December 31, 2017] 

The MPAC (Lot 2) Weapons System and Missiles Acquisition Project worth P594,319,550.

According to Defense Update, the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will make each Remote Weapon System (RWS) operate 12.7 heavy machine guns also and mount Spike-ER launchers. This will extend the boat’s firepower to more than 8 kilometers. These acquisitions are significant because, for the Spike ER, it will be the very first missile system ever to officially enter service with our PN ships.

The new MPAC 3 armed with 4 canister Spike missile launcher and Mini typhoon RCWS.

The report said three Mini Typhoon remotely controlled stabilized gun mounts to arm the MPAC MKIII of the PN. Each will contain 2,000 rounds for 12.7mm, 4,000 rounds for 7.62mm ammunition, and 10 surface-to-surface missile canisters. (source - AsianMilDef)

Aerostat Radar from the US

The United States donated a Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) to the Philippine Navy last August with the purpose of enhancing the Navy's maritime surveillance.

Philippine Army and Philippine Marines

12 Elbit Soltam M-71 155mm Howitzers

The Philippine Army and Philippine Marines have each received 6 brand new M-71 155mm howitzers from Elbit Systems of Israel. Estimated contract price is Php 410 million.

KM450 and KM250 military trucks

KM250

The Department of National Defense signed a government-to-government contract with Korea for military trucks to be used by the Army and Marines. The signing was held last October with an estimated value of about Php 1.4 billion for the Army contract and Php 313 million for the Marines contract.

1 1/4 ton KM450

The Army contract consist of 227 units 1/2 ton KM250 trucks, 10 units 2 1/2 ton KM250 wreckers, while for the Marines it will consist of 108 1 1/4 ton KM450 trucks.



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Original article posted at Inquirer.net

Philippine Air Force to acquire 3 modern flight simulators for P246-M

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is acquiring three modern flight simulators for P246.4 million to help pilots operate efficiently the soon-to-be-delivered T-50 fighter jets from South Korea.
 
The Department of National Defense (DND) said it is bidding out the project designed to enhance the operational capability of the PAF.

“This will allow pilots an almost full sensory experience that can aid improving flight instruction, enhancing proficiency, minimizing risks associated with emergency procedures training, reducing accidents, filling up downtimes, and saving on aircraft operational and maintenance costs,” Defense Undersecretary Efren Fernandez, chair of the Bids and Award Committee for the project, said.

“The DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines now invite bids from eligible bidders for the Full Motion Flight Simulator Acquisition Project. Delivery of the goods is required within a period of 600 calendar days from the opening of the Letter of Credit (LC),” Fernandez said.

Sources said the government is set to acquire more fighter jets from other countries.

Prior to the opening of the bid for the simulator project on Feb. 10, a pre-bid conference will be held on Jan. 27 at the DND BAC Conference Room at Camp Aguinaldo.

“The DND and the AFP reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders,” Fernandez said.

The defense department is also bidding out a P149-million contract for the construction of Air Force facilities in Tawi-Tawi and Palawan as part of the military’s upgrade of its maritime defense and rescue capabilities in the West Philippine Sea and Sulu Sea.

The DND has also signed an P888-million contract with Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems Land and C41 for the acquisition of 28 armored infantry vehicles to boost the fighting capability of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army (PA).

Part of the project is retrofitting 24 of the army’s M113 armored personnel carriers with turrets from decommissioned Scorpion light reconnaissance tanks, transforming the M113s into fire support vehicles from merely “battle taxis.” Mounted on Scorpion’s turrets are 76mm cannon and 7.62mm machinegun.

The upgraded M113 fire support vehicle will also be equipped with a new fire control system and thermal imaging system.

Four of the M113s will have the capability of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) armed with 25mm automatic cannons. Six will be equipped with additional .50 caliber heavy machineguns.

The M113s will also get upgrades on their armor protection and amphibious capability.

The Israeli firm will throw in, for free, four M113 armored recovery and repair vehicles.

The Army expects to roll out the 28 combat vehicles by January 2015, said Defense Undersecretary Patrick Velez. At present, the Army is heavily dependent on 105mm and 155mm howitzers in providing fire support for troops battling Abu Sayyaf terrorists or communist rebels. 

Article Source: ABSCBN News

Php18.9-B FA-50 trainer jet project hangs; DND pitches counter offer to Koreans

The project to procure 12 units of Korean trainer jets worth a total P18.9 billion for the Philippine Air Force continues to hang over issues of downpayment and after-sales service turnaround, but the Department of National Defense, which recommended a counter-offer, remains confident the deal will push through.   

Apparently, sources said, President Benigno Aquino III himself seemed not keen on signing the contract owing to the hurdles that cropped up in DND negotiations with manufacturer Korean Aerospace Incorporation (KAI) for the sale of the 12 FA-50s.

Among the key issues, as identified earlier by Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, is the 52 percent “advance payment” sought by KAI before it starts production. Republic Act 9184 only allows 15-percent advance payment.

Manalo is head for Finance, Munitions, Installations and Materiel of the DND.

The second major issues revolves around KAI’s reluctance to accept the Philippine government’s terms for it to deliver spare parts within 30 to 45 days upon receipt of notice.

“The turnaround time, our standard turnaround time is between 30 and 45 days upon receipt of the notice of the proponent, and that the warranty is still valid. They have to deliver the spare parts so we can immediately replace the defective spare parts. I think the warranty is two years or 600 hours, whichever comes first,” said Manalo. He explained that the dispute stems from KAI’s insistence on a 180-day turnaround, which DND deems too long. 

The issues notwithstanding, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is optimistic negotiations can still proceed. At Tuesday’s joint DND-Armed Forces New Year Call at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Gazmin said the department recommended a counteroffer to KAI, which they are asking Malacanang Palace to clear.

“Nag-submit na kami ng recommendation to the President for his approval…Ang recommendation nito [We submitted our recommendation to the President for his approval. The recommendation] is progressive billing,” he said.

Should the project push through, delivery of the first batch of the units is targeted in 2015. This means delivery will only be completed after President Aquino’s term ends. 

Military insiders earlier expressed doubts over the wisdom of the FA-50 negotiations, saying among others that the jet platform is not what the country needs for territorial defense. “Painfully, the much touted FA-50 Lead-In Fighter has revealed itself to be newly designed short-range trainer aircraft with recent certifications for only very basic weapons; in effect, just enough rhetoric to label it a Lead-In Fighter, as opposed to its true form, an Advanced Jet Trainer with limited weapons,” one source said.

Another source had another track: “As FA-50 negotiations continue and the request for a P10-billion down payment looms, the DND should look towards its counterparts in Brazil, where the Super Tucano is manufactured.  After a long number of years of extensive research, study, and consideration, Brazil has just announced its choice for its next Multi-Role Fighter aircraft,” he said. 

Compared to the Super Tucano, the source added, “the FA-50’s combat capability is disappointing. 

The propeller-driven Super Tucano can travel further, stay on patrol longer, and is a combat-proven aircraft with a myriad of advanced weapons, superior to the weapons of the FA-50.  Although not a Multi-Role Fighter, the Super Tucano’s combat abilities quite embarrass those of the FA-50.” 

Article Source: InterAksyon

DND may spend P4.5 B for fighter jet munitions

The Department of National Defense is planning to spend about P4.5 billion to arm the 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets it is seeking to acquire from South Korea.

Defense department data show that the munitions for the fighter jets are not included in the aircraft acquisition program under the revised Armed Forces modernization law.

The acquisition of munitions for the fighter jets will be divided into four phases – P4.33 billion for the first two and P139 million for the other two.

Details of the items to be installed in the jets were not immediately available. Previous reports, however, said the aircraft being eyed can be armed with precision guided bombs and air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.

The defense department said the munitions may be acquired either through negotiated or public bidding.

The mode of procurement depends on the availability of the items in the market. Military equipment being offered by several suppliers are normally acquired through public bidding, while specialized ones are usually acquired through negotiations.

The government aims to shell out P18.9 billion to acquire 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea to improve the country’s territorial defense capabilities.

Security officials are now negotiating with South Korean firm Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the project.

The government also aims to spend P135.99 million for the basing support systems for the fighter jets.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the delivery of the jets may start in June 2015.

The defense department had asked Malacañang to allow the release of a 52-percent down payment to KAI.

The law permits state agencies to pay 15- percent down payment to suppliers while the rest of the amount would be paid upon delivery of the goods.

KAI wants the Philippines to pay 52- percent down payment to cover the aircraft manufacturing costs. Such payment scheme would require the approval of President Aquino.

The acquisition of FA-50 jets is one of the big ticket items in the military’s multibillion-peso upgrade program.

Article Link

Terms Of Reference for F/A-50 'Golden Eagle' now being crafted

MANILA — The Philippines is now on track to operate again supersonic jet aircraft as the "term of reference" (TOR) for the F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" is now in the works.

"Procurement for the F/A-50 will be on a government-to-government basis," the Department of National Defense (DND) observer stressed.

He also said the go-ahead signal for the TOR only came last week.

The order came from the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), an attached agency of the Department of Budget and Management.

The DND observer declined to comment on when the TOR will be completed but stressed that it will be done within the year.

But he expressed confidence that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be flying the F/A-50 within two years time.

The last supersonic planes operated by the country was the Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighter" which was decommissioned due to lack of parts and air frame aging sometime in 2005.

The TOR describes the purpose and structure of a project, committee, meeting and negotiation.

It also defines the vision, objectives, scope and deliverables (i.e. what has to be achieved); stakeholders, roles and responsibilities (i.e. who will take part in it); resource, financial and quality plans (i.e. how it will be achieved); work breakdown structure and schedule (i.e. when it will be achieved) and includes success factors/risks and restraints.

The Philippines is in the market for 12 supersonic trainer aircraft which can double as interim fighter and attack planes for the PAF. It has allocated P18 billion for this program.

The GPPB earlier gave the DND the "green-light" to start pre-negotiations with the South Korean government for 12 F/A 50 aircraft last January.

The plane is manufactured by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The F/A-50 is also known as the TA-50.

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.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The F/A-50 "Golden Eagle" uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and KAI.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner. 

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Priam F. Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency/Zambo Times | 

March 6, 2013 | Article Link

Farnborough 2012: KAI confident T-50 family ready for Philippines, other international markets

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) officials are confident of winning the Philippine Air Force's (PAF's) competition for a light-attack trainer but are playing down expectations of a quick decision.

A T-50 variant is competing with five other platforms to supply a jet-powered light-attack/trainer aircraft to Manila: AleniaAermacchi's M-346; BAE Systems' Hawk; Yakovlev's Yak-130; Aero Vodochody's L-159; and AMX International's AMX.

"We have been told that we are leading the competition but that no decision has been made yet," Sky Lee, T-50 senior marketing manager for Asia-Pacific and South American, told IHS Jane's at the Farnborough Airshow on 10 July.

The Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team, which flies T-50Bs, made its European debut at a number of airshows in the UK, including Farnborough.

If Manila selects the T-50 it will become the second international customer for the platform after Indonesia, which in 2011 agreed to buy 16 T/A-50s: the light attack/lead-in fighter trainer variant of the aircraft. Reports from the Philippines have led to some confusion over which variant of the aircraft was on offer: as well as the standard unarmed T-50 trainer, KAI offers the T/A-50 and F/A-50, which both feature an Elta EL/M-2032 fire-control radar provided by South Korean manufacturer LigNex.

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James Hardy | Janes.Com | July 13, 2012 | Article Link