No more second frigates for Philippine Navy - DND official

MANILA, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- A ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official has said the option to acquire second-hand frigates to boost the numbers and capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN) has been waived.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions,installation and materiel, said this because evaluation studies found out that acquiring these vessels will be more costly in the long run.

"The PN found out that it will be more expensive to maintain second hand vessel(s) than buying a new one," he added.

With this conclusion, the Italian-made "Maestrale" frigates, are no longer in the running for possible acquisition by the Philippines.

"Its no longer being evaluated," Manalo stressed.

The "Maestrale" was earlier touted by the DND as the next ships to be acquired for the PN due to its credible missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

With this development, Manalo said the Philippines is now looking for new build naval ships with the same configuration.

The DND earlier said that five countries have expressed their intention to sell the Philippines modern frigates and offshore patrol vessels which will help the country protect its vast maritime territories.

These offers came from the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia.
All vessels being offered by these nations are brand new.

Manalo added that offers of the above-mentioned countries started coming during the last quarter of 2012.

The DND official attributed the sudden influx of would-be-suppliers to the fact the Philippine is now seriously upgrading its military forces.

The Philippines is in the market for two modern and powerful frigates in order to enhance its maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities.

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Priam F. Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency | February 22, 2013 | Article Link

DND firms up plans to buy 2 Italian warships worth P6B each

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday said plans had been firmed up to buy two Italian warships worth US$ 30 million (P6 billion) each to upgrade the Philippines' defense capabilities. 

At the hearing of the House of Representatives' appropriations committee of the DND's proposed P121.6-billion budget for next year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the purchase of Italian warships or frigates is part of the DND's modernization plan. 

The proposed budget is P15 billion higher than this year's capital outlay. 

Gazmin said the budget increase would be used for big investments aimed at beefing up territorial defense. 

Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the President and his Cabinet, the House minority bloc said it was in favor of purchasing new planes dedicated for their use. 

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, in a press conference, said the government needed at least six new aircraft -- one regional jet, one jet for local travel, two propeller-driven aircraft (1 Queen Air and 1 King Air) and two helicopters. 

Suarez said the new planes would cost about US$ 85 million (roughly P3.6 billion). 

"We should not put a tag price on the security of our leaders. We are expressing our concern for the safety of the President and his family because, as we are all aware, our country does not have a dedicated Presidential plane and he takes chartered flights for official travel," he said. 

Besides, Suarez said the new aircraft would also benefit political leaders after the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III. 

The House minority leader also asked the government to review all modes of public transportation following the death of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, whose plane crashed off Masbate last Saturday afternoon on the way to Naga City from Cebu City.

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Philippine News Agency/InterAksyon.Com | August 22, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines in the market for ASW helicopters

MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) -- As part of its efforts to improve the capabilities of the naval service, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will be acquiring four anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters for the Philippine Navy (PN) within the period 2013 to 2017. 

Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., AFP spokesperson, said the decision to acquire ASW assets for the PN is part of country's Medium Term Defense Acquisition List for the next four years. 

The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and the soon-to-come BRP Ramon Alcaraz and hopefully to the two "Maestrale" class missile-firing frigates from Italy being eyed by the Department of National Defense (DND) for acquisition by 2013. 

Burgos declined to identify the manufacturer of the proposed ASW helicopters but said studies are now undergoing to identify the best and most affordable aircraft for the Philippines. 

DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier announced that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be getting 10 brand-new units of Eurocopter attack choppers to boost its fleet. 

He added that this contract is worth P3.2 billion. 

Gazmin said that the DND has already presented it to the government policy and procurement board for evaluation. 

This was after the defense department recommended acquisition approval for the above-mentioned helicopters. 

And should the contract be signed anytime this August, the DND chief said that the first four units will be delivered within the year. 

"All these choppers are brandnew and fitted with weapons, navigation and sensor equipment," Gazmin stressed. 

The body of the Eurocopter is made from 80 percent carbon fiber reinforced polymer and kevlar, 11 percent aluminum, and six percent titanium. 

The rotors are made from fiber-plastic able to withstand combat damage and bird strikes. 

Protection against lightning and electromagnetic pulse is ensured by embedded copper/bronze grid and copper bonding foil. 

Eurocopter's armor can withstand 23 mm autocannon fire. 

The helicopter can be equipped with a variety of air-to-ground weapons, rockets, and even air-to-air missiles and state-of-the-art sensor and navigation systems. 

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Philippine News Agency | August 17, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines mulling purchase of Italian frigates

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines is eyeing the purchase of two "potent" Maestrale-class frigates from Italy to boost the country's capability to defend its territorial waters, particularly the West Philippine Sea.

 

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters Thursday that the refurbished frigates could arrive in the country late next year.

Officials are just waiting for the enactment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization law, which Gazmin said they expect by the end of this year, to continue negotiations with Italy.

The two frigates are worth P11.7 billion.

The ships are primarily equipped for anti-submarine warfare with anti-aircraft and anti-surface capabilities. The Italian Navy has used the frigates since 1982 but the website naval-technology.com says they are scheduled to be replaced by newer ships next year.

The frigates are equipped with missiles, torpedoes, naval guns and a 27-meter wide helicopter flight deck.

Defense Undersecretary for Munitions, Installations and Material Fernando Manalo described the frigates as "more lethal" than the Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a re-commissioned US Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter.

"This is more potent and strong," Gazmin also said. "Makakatulong ng maigi yan kasi bigyan tayo ng napakagandang (They will help us very much because they will give us a very good)defense posture." 

Manalo said if the contract is approved within the year, the two frigates will be "retired" from the service by the Italian Navy.

The frigates will then undergo refurbishing, which will take up to nine months.

He stressed that the frigates would not be stripped down like the Hamilton-class cutters.

"We demanded that we will not accept what is less than what has been installed in the vessel. Nothing will be removed," Manalo said.

Modernization in full swing

 
Gazmin also said the military’s modernization is in full swing with about 60 percent of 140 contracts for the program already underway.

The rest of the contracts will depend on the enactment of the AFP modernization law, he said.

By the end of this year, Manalo said they are expecting the delivery of about 21 UH1H “Huey” helicopters, "two to four" attack choppers and two Multi-purpose Assault Crafts.

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Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | August 2, 2012 | Article Link

DND wants frigate with 'surface-to-air' missile power

MANILA, Philippines - Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez announced on Friday that one of the frigates to be acquired by the Philippines will have "surface-to-air" capabilities. That is, the ship will have the capability to fire missiles, guided by radar or heat sensors, at airborne targets.

"Aside from this, our latest frigate will have heavier gun armament and other equipment that will make it very effective in patrolling and securing the country's waters," Galvez said in Filipino.

He declined to state the particular country the Philippines will acquire this ship but stressed that acquisition will be done through a government-to-government transaction.

The Philippines has taken on a new sense of urgency to upgrade its naval capabilities as tensions continue to rise around the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). US President Barack Obama's announced "pivot" for America towards the Pacific has stirred greater naval activity on the part of China, triggering cross-border problems between the Asian superpower and the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Russia across the East and South China Seas. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Navy has been exposed to be glaringly ill-equipped to patrol and protect its own shores. 

Earlier, DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the military wants to acquire additional naval craft from Italy.

"We are not relying totally on the United States (for) our equipment acquisitions. We are also looking at the possibility of getting some of our equipment from Europe, specifically from Italy, depending on our budget," he added.

Possible naval craft to be acquired from Italy by the Philippines are the "Maestrale" and "Soldati" classes.

The "Maestrale" class, operated by the Italian Navy, is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare.

However the vessels are highly flexible so they are also capable of anti-air and anti-surface operations.

It has a displacement of 3,300 gross register tons and a speed of 33 knots.

The ship is armed with anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, long range guns and automatic weapons, making it ideal to protect the country's maritime borders against poachers, pirates and foreign aggressors.

The "Soldati" class, on the other hand, is a multi-purpose warship designed for anti-surface warfare.

It has a displacement of 2,500 gross register tons and has a top speed of 35 knots.

The ship has missile, torpedo and gun armament and is capable of carrying an anti-submarine helicopter. 

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Philippine News Agency/InterAksyon.Com | July 28, 2012 | Article Link

Philippine Air Force levelling up with 10 attack helicopters

MANILA - The Philippines will acquire 10 attack helicopters starting next year in a bid to boost the capabilities of the poorly-equipped military, an air force spokesman said Wednesday.

Italy, Britain, France, Russia and South Africa are all being eyed to supply the helicopters, Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Okol said, although he declined to specify which models were being considered.

The brand new machines will upgrade the fleet of US-made MG-520 light attack helicopters that the air force has been using since the 1990s.

"What we are going to get are armed attack helicopters... that can carry more payload than the MG-520," Okol told AFP.

He declined to specify the cost of the acquisition but said the government had already allocated the required funds.

The new aircraft will be used for "internal security operations, border security and support operations", he said.

The Philippines is battling communist insurgents in rural areas throughout the archipelago, as well as Muslim extremists in the troubled southern regions.

In recent months tensions have also risen with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, but Okol said the acquisition of the attack helicopters was unrelated.

The tensions with China have highlighted the weakness of the Philippine military which is one of the most poorly-equipped in the region, relying largely on surplus US equipment.

The Philippines has been refurbishing its ageing MG-520 helicopters, other military sources said.

The country has recently been stepping up its modernization efforts and plans to acquire new fighter-trainer jets and attack and transport planes by 2014, the defence secretary said earlier.

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Agence France-Presse | InterAksyon.Com | July 18, 2012 | Article Link

Manila, Rome to enhance defense ties after Philippines eyes purchase of Italian warship

The Philippines and Italy are set to further strengthen their defense partnership, Manila's Ambassador to Rome Virgilio Reyes Jr. said on Wednesday. 

The announcement came roughly two months after the Philippines' Defense Department disclosed plans of acquiring a third warship from Italy after purchasing two from the United States. 

Officials of both countries' defense departments will hold an exchange of visits to enhance their strategic defense ties, Reyes said in a statement on Wednesday. 

“[We are] committed to its effective concrete implementation,” Reyes said.

In May, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin raised the possibility that the country may acquire another warship from Italy. The Philippines has two warships, the first, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was acquired from the US Coast Guard last year. The second may arrive in November, Gazmin said. 

Speaking at the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between both countries, Reyes also asked the Italian Ministry Foreign Affairs to sign two pending agreements--the Draft Executive Cultural Program between the Philippine and Italy and the Draft Protocol to Amend the Bilateral Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation.

Manila and Rome established diplomatic ties since July 1947, a relationship that has been marked by several cooperation agreements over the past years.

In his speech, Reyes also thanked Italy's foreign ministry for allowing Filipinos to promote their own food in Italy, including mango rum liquor, and for permitting Filipino artists showcase their artworks. 

"[During] the end of June, the Philippine Tropical Fruit Business Mission to Italy had a productive visit around markets of Rome and Bergamo and [held] important exchange of discussion with the Italian fruit growers and importers in the Centro Agroalimentare di Roma (CAR)," Reyes said.

"I would like to expresse my gratitude to the government of the Italian Republic for its gracious hosting of the Filipino community in Italy with the assurance that Filipino nationals will contribute positively to the Italian society and economy," Reyes stressed.

Reyes then expressed the Philippine government’s commitment toward upholding, protecting, and promoting the rights and interests of the Filipino community in Italy. Some 131,000 Filipinos work in Italy as maids, nurses, or service workers.

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Pots de Leon | InterAksyon.com | July 11, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines, Italy reinforce strategic ties — DFA

The Philippines and Italy reaffirmed their strategic ties after a visit by a 15-member Philippine team to Rome to strengthen political and security relations between the two countries late last month.

Sent by the Department of National Defense (DND) at the invitation of the Italian Ministry of Defense, the 15-member Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) team followed up discussions on further strengthening political and security ties.

"Various calls and meetings were also conducted with relevant Italian officials. The group made a call on Brigadier General Pintus, the Commanding General of the Artillery Regiment; Colonel Scarcella, representative of the MOD; and Major Millazzo, Major Torre and Lt. Colonel Quaglierro together with Mr. Gerry of Oto Melara," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

It said the visit was conducted from June 18 to 27.

During its visit, the team visited the Italian Defense Office (MOD) as well as other command artillery and warehouses and operational exhibits.

Also, the team made a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio Reyes Jr.

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GMA News Online | July 8, 2012 | Article Link

Italy could surrender some of its fleet to third countries

Italy is suffering severely for the current economic crisis and, despite the measures taken to stem the losses, the forecasts for the future is bleak. The data presented at Eurosatory - arms fair held in Paris - show a country in great difficulties even in the defense sector: the Ministry of the total budget is spent 22.4M-17.6M dollars in four years, with a reduction of 21.4% in 2012 compared to 2008.

The Italian government is trying, like many other European countries, to cut the unnecessary and at the same time find ways to sustain capacity and invest in new technologies. No wonder, then, that Italy is planning to get rid of some of its vehicles in service in favor of potential buyers, to reduce costs and raise cash.

It will be the Navy to be more affected by this process, if ever the government decides to implement it. The Navy has 82 ships in service of various kinds and 6 submarines. The plan is to get rid of 26-28 vessels, according to a statement by Admiral Louis Binelli Mantelli, Chief of Staff of the Navy, during a hearing at the Senate defense committee. In the list of 'offers' there would be 7 frigates, 6/8 corvettes, 4 ships trainer, 4 offshore tugboats, 3 coastal minesweepers and 2 carriers.

Not all ships in the list will bring money into the bank of the Navy Department. Some units have reached the maximum number of years of life and will be withdrawn from service and were not included in the list because now considered unusable. Others, such as deminer Lerici, retired from service last March, is still considered suitable for sale as the Mistral class frigates, including the most 'old' will still be retired at the end of 2013.

At the moment it is not yet clear which (or which) countries the ships will be offered. Whispers in the corridors of the ministry of an interest in the Mistral frigates from the Philippines, but there is nothing concrete. Nor is it clear what ships will be sold and which will be given away for free. The latter possibility, keeping in view of the Admiral. Part of the vessels on the list, in fact, require significant work and upgrades, and the Navy is aware that discarding will have to make them palatable for free. On the other hand, if they were to be scrapped would still represent a cost to the Italian State.

Binelli Mantelli also supported the need to involve industry in the sale of Italian naval ships. The example to follow is the sale of two Lupo class frigates to Peru in 2005, the ships were withdrawn from service with the Italian Navy, renovated in the shipyards of Fincantieri and later sold to Peru. The agreement has thus resulted in an advantage for our Navy, but also for the Italian shipbuilding industry.

The transaction, however, poses two risks: the first is that the wave of enthusiasm is decided to reduce the excessive number of vessels in service, compromising the functionality of the Navy. The second risk relates to the implicit competition against Italian shipping industry: ship used to market low cost could halt the construction / purchase of new vessels, because potential customers would turn to MMT.

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Meridiani Relazioni Internazionali | June 8, 2012 | Article Link

Translated to English using Google Translator 

Philippines may buy fighters other than US

The Philippines is looking at arming itself for the first time with dedicated fighter jets made outside of the United States, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday amid a territorial dispute with China.

The Philippines last month requested aircraft, patrol boats and radar systems from its US military ally to help it achieve what the government said would be a "minimum credible defence".

Aquino said that his government had asked to buy second-hand F-16s from the United States, but their maintenance costs could end up being too high because of their age.

"We might end up spending $400 million or $800 million per squadron, and we were thinking of getting two squadrons," he said in an interview with Manila's Bombo Radio.

"We do have an alternative, and -- this is a surprise -- it seems we have the capacity to buy brand-new, but not from America," Aquino said, without mentioning the aircraft model.

"These are manufactured by another progressive country that I won't name at this point."
Aquino noted that Manila had retired its last fighter jet, a Korean War-vintage F-5, in 2005. It does continue to fly S211 trainer jets made by the Italian firm Marchetti, which are sometimes used as ground attack aircraft against various insurgencies.

But along with the F-5, the Philippines had previously relied on obsolete US hand-me-downs including the T-33 and the P-51 Mustang as dedicated attack fighters, and the country now has no effective air defences.

It is engaged in a tense maritime standoff with China over the disputed Scarborough Shoal and surrounding waters in the South China Sea. Both nations have stationed vessels there for over a month to assert their sovereignty.

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AFP News/Yahoo News Online | May 16, 2012 | Article Link

Government to modernize AFP using own resources - DND

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday that the government is trying to modernize its military using its own resources amid criticisms that the $30-million support offered by the United States is insufficient.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government should not be too dependent on external sources in beefing up its security capabilities.

“We’re not beggars. We are poor but we certainly will not beg,” Gazmin said during the Defense Press Corps forum in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“We should not be relying so much insofar as our acquisition and upgrade of our military equipment is concerned. If they (US) will give us something, okay, then we stand on our own. We try to stand on our own,” he added.

Gazmin was asked to react to criticisms that the $30-million foreign military financing offered by the US to the Philippines is too small.

The US reportedly doubled to $30 million from $15 million the military assistance allocation for the Philippines for fiscal year 2012.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, said the amount was inadequate and insulting. He said the amount was too small, considering that the US has been benefiting from its relationship with the Philippines.

“If it is just $30 million, if I were the government of President Aquino, I would say thank you but I don’t need $30 million. We can provide that $30 million for ourselves,” Enrile told dzBB last Sunday.

He said it appears that the Philippines is begging alms from the US.

Meanwhile, Gazmin said the military is considering acquiring a warship from Italy.

“We are not totally relying on the US. We will get other equipment to address our military upgrade. The good equipment that fits our budget (would be bought),” he said, when asked to confirm reports that a third warship would be acquired from Europe.

“We are looking at Europe, yes, we are looking specifically at Italy,” he added.

Last year, the military acquired its first high-endurance cutter from the US Coast Guard to beef up its maritime security capability.

The warship, which has been renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar, has been deployed to the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine government spent P450 million for the ship’s transfer costs.

A second warship, the 45-year-old USS Dallas, has been offered to the Philippines and is expected to arrive in Manila this year.

Gazmin said he asked the United States to provide the equipment removed from the BRP del Pilar during the two-plus-two meet in Washington last April 30.

The two-plus-two meet was attended by Gazmin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

The US removed some of BRP Gregorio del Pilar’s accessories before it was turned over to the Philippines.

Some of the features stripped from the ship were the sensors, communications and electronics equipment, and close-in weapons system.

Gazmin hopes the USCGC Dallas will be turned over to the Philippines in its original state, including its vital equipment and accessories.

He said the Philippine government has also asked the US to provide radar systems that would allow it to monitor its maritime boundaries.

The DND, however, is not keen on acquiring F16 jet fighters.

“F16 is an aging air asset. If they (US) give us those that are mothballed, you will have to refurbish them. It will cost too much. If the remaining flying time is just three or four years, you are shortchanged,” Gazmin said.

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Alexis Romero | The Philippine Star | May 10, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines eyes third warship, this time from Italy

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is looking to acquire a third warship from Italy after it acquired two from the United States, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin revealed on Wednesday.

"We are not totally relying on the US. Yes, we are looking at Europe, we're looking specifically at Italy," Gazmin said.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the first warship, was acquired by the Philippines from the US Coast Guard last year.

The second may arrive in November, Gazmin said. He said he asked US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the US restore the weapons stripped from the first ship and turn over the second with all its armaments intact.

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Abigail Kwok | InterAksyon.com | May 9, 2012 | Article Link

Italy's Alenia seeks to supply DND up to P6.87-B worth of aircraft

Italy's Alenia Aermachi S.p.A. is offering the Department of National Defense four to six units of its €20-million apiece M-346 surface attack plane, the firm’s local partner, Aerotech Industries told GMA News Online.

Aerotech Industries chief operating officer Tess Parian said the P1.14 billion price tag on each M-346 “could still change depending on the requirements or specifications the Philippine Air Force may provide later.”

The four-to-six-unit package would cost about P4.58 billion to P6.87 billion at the current exchange rat of P57.28:€1.

Parian said their likely competitor for the supply contract is the Korea Aerospace Industries—maker of the T-50—which Alenia Aermacchi was up against in supply contract biddings in other countries.

Last year, Alenia Aermacchi delivered 18 new SF260FH basic trainers to the PAF.

The trainer planes are now based at the Fenando Airbase in Lipa, Batangas, home to the PAF Air Education and Traning Command.

Parian said Singapore and the United Arab Emirates chose the M-346 for their respective air forces. Singapore got 12 units of the MB-346 and the United Arab Emirates has a tender for 48 units.

“The twin-turbofan M-346 is the most advanced lead-in fighter trainer flying today,” Alenia Aermacchi said on its website.

“With its fully digital flight controls and avionics, together with carefree handling and high AOA maneuvering, the M-346 is fully representative of new generation fighters,” Alena Aermacchi also said.

“... [T]he M-346 is today the only aircraft designed to meet the training needs of pilots of 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft,” it added.

Alenia Aermacchi is part of the Finmeccanica Group and has production facilities in Italy’s Venegono Superiore province. Its production area is 274,000 sqm, accomodating its 1,800 personnel. 

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Earl Rosero | GMA News Online | April 3, 2012 | Article Link

DND signs five-year agreement with Italy

MANILA, Philippines - The procurement of military equipment from Italy-based suppliers will be fast-tracked under an agreement between the Philippines and Italy.

National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola signed the five-year agreement when Gazmin visited Italy last Jan. 30.

In a statement, Gazmin said the arrangement will help expedite the procurement from Italy of supplies with the help of the Italian Ministry of Defense.

“This arrangement is a result of our efforts to explore any and all avenues for a more efficient procurement process for our modernization program,” he said.

The agreement is valid for five years from signing and will be automatically extended for another five years unless there is a written notice of intention to terminate.

However, the signing of the arrangement does not mean that the Philippines would buy defense equipment from Italian firms.

Gazmin said the agreement is merely intended to establish a system for “future transactions.”

Gazmin and members of the DND Defense Acquisition System team left for Italy last Jan. 28 and returned home last Feb. 3.

Other key defense officials who joined the week-long trip were Defense Undersecretary for Finance, Munitions, Installations and Materiel Fernando Manalo, and Bids and Awards Committee chairman Patrick Velez.

They inspected combat-ready defense materiel including Maestrale and Soldati-class deep patrol water vessel, the Piaggio 180, a single platform defense materiel that can perform the functions of a special mission aircraft, light lift aircraft and long range patrol aircraft.

Also inspected were the medium lift tactical aircraft C27J, Italian Navy Coast Watch and Air Defense 3d Radar Systems, AMX ground attack aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle Falco and armored personnel carrier.

Philippine officials and Italian suppliers also talked about an information technology system that would allow the transmission of data.

The system would allow the delivery of data from any defense material platform to personnel in mission up to the commander-in-chief. The system can enhance the defense awareness of the military and civilians.

Gazmin said the arrangement with the Italian government includes a service agreement and training of Philippine military personnel.

These are aimed at ensuring the medium- and long-term effectiveness of the equipment that may be bought from Italy.

“We would like to assure the Filipino people that all possible negotiations are premised within the national government’s established ideals of transparency, accountability and good governance,” Gazmin said. 

The Philippines has bought 18 basic trainer aircraft from Alenia Aermacchi, an Italian firm that designs and produces military trainers. The delivery of the 18 units was completed last year.

The DND seeks to approve the contracts of 138 modernization projects worth P70 billion by July.

The projects include big-ticket items like fighter jets and long-range patrol aircraft for the Air Force, multi-role vessel for the Navy and coast watch radars.

Aside from Italy, other countries that have offered defense equipment to the DND are the United States, Korea, France and United Kingdom.
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By Alexis Romero
The Philippine Star
February 08, 2012 12:00 AM
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