Philippines : DND Eyes 100 New APCs from Italy

The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to acquire 100 armored personnel carriers (APC)s and dozens of artillery equipment from Italy in support of the military’s capability upgrade program.

Documents obtained by The STAR showed that the Italian government might donate 100 units of operational M113 APCs and 25 units of operational FH70 155 mm howitzers.

The possible donations are in connection with the procurement of other equipment that may become part of what the DND called the “Italian package.”

The DND is currently negotiating with Italy for the procurement of Maestrale-class ships, medium-lift fixed wing aircraft (C27J-Spartan), special mission aircraft and three naval helicopters.

If the procurement pushes through, the 100 APCs and 25 long-range cannons may be included in the package.

“In connection with the acquisition of the aforementioned equipment (ships, aircraft, helicopters) the Italian government will donate 100 units operational M113 armored personnel carriers and 25 units operational FH70 155 mm howitzers,” the DND document read.

The APCs and artilleries are expected to enhance the military’s security operations.

 

The DND said the Italian defense ministry has designated a liaison officer to the Philippines to handle the acquisitions and represent the Italian government in the discussions with suppliers.

The department said it is also negotiating with the supplier regarding the specifications of the equipment.

“The imprimatur to contract with them is directly from the Italian government,” it said.

The Philippines is resorting to government-to-government transactions to fast-track the acquisition of key defense equipment.

Earlier, DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told The STAR the negotiation for the acquisition of the two Maestrale-class warships from Italy may be completed by yearend.

Last August, the DND announced plans to acquire the Maestrale-class ships from Italy to boost the country’s maritime security capability.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had said the two missile-firing warships would be acquired from the Italian Navy and cost about P11.7 billion.

The ships have anti-aircraft, anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities. They also have missile systems and modern radars.

 

Royal Brunei Navy and Philippine Navy Conducts SEAGULL Exercise

MUARA NAVAL BASE - The Royal Brunei Navy and the Philippine Navy will be conducting a combined naval exercise code-named Maritime Training Activity (MTA) SEAGULL 05/12 on 19 - 25 November 2012. This is the fifth in the series of bilateral engagements between both navies, which is held bi-annually. The Royal Brunei Navy will be host to this year's event and all military activities will be conducted in Negara Brunei Darussalam.

This training activity aims to strengthen bilateral security relationship and cooperation as well as to enhance interoperability between the two navies, promote mutual understanding and to bolster the existing long-standing relationship among the officers and men of both navies.

 

This year, two ships from the Royal Brunei Navy. KDB SYAFAAT and KDB AFIAT, will be joined by two patrol ships from the Philippine Navy namely BRP ARTEMIO RICARTE (PS-37) and BRP GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ (PS-38). The exercise will involve almost 150 personnel from both navies.

This morning, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Halim bin Hj Mohd Hanifah received a call from the Commander of Philippine Fleet, Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez. Present during the Call was the Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines, His Excellency Nestor Z. Ochoa, Commander Leofilo G. Pulmano (DCTG 12.1), and both Philippine Patrol Ships' Commanding Officers.

Upon completion of the Call, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy presided over the Opening Ceremony with the Commander of Philippine Fleet in attendance.

 

Philippine military to acquire two anti-submarine helicopters

The Philippine government is acquiring two anti-submarine helicopters, worth about 5 billion pesos ($121 million), in line with its military modernization program.

Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said Monday they are considering buying four different types of anti-submarine helicopters. He would not elaborate but sources said the four includes AgustaWestland AW-109, a twin-engine, eight-seat multipurpose chopper.

"We are just waiting for the issuance of the acquisition decision memorandum (from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin). We will deploy them (helicopters) with the frigates that we are also trying to acquire," Manalo said.

He is referring to the two Maestrale-class frigates that the department is eyeing to purchase from Italy.

Manalo said the fund to be used in the acquisition of the two helicopters will come from the 75 billion pesos ($1.82 billion ) budget for the five-year modernization program.

The budget is incorporated in a bill that seeks to extend the military's modernization law for another 15 years. The old modernization law, passed in 1995, lapsed last December.

Manalo said the department is working on the planned acquisition, pending the extension of the modernization law. He said such acquisitions would be implemented by way of contract if the bill was signed into law.

Malaysia and Philippines Conduct Land MALPHI Exercise

13^th LAND MALPHI Exercise : A Philippine soldier, surrounded by his comrades, taking a closer look at a Belgium made Automatic Grenade Launcher on display during the launch of the exercise yesterday.

Malaysian, Philippine armies build better ties

KUCHING: The Malaysian and Philippine armies will further foster better relationship with each other through an exercise in supporting global peace.

Deputy Malaysian army chief Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi said this could be achieved through the enhancement of the scope of the Land MLAPHI Exercise involving the forces of both nations.

As such, he said, the current 13th Land MALPHI Exercise that was taking place at Penrissen Camp near here was not only focusing on the planning and conduct of conventional warfare setting in the Malaysian environment, but also to cover planning strategy and preparation to face the present global security situation.

 “The main objective of this exercise is to foster a good relationship between the Philippine and Malaysian army who have a common mission in preserving and maintaining peace and security of this region.

“This exercise which started today (yesterday) till Oct 13 is also aimed at enabling both forces to operate together using Multination Forces Operating Procedure with common understanding,” he said.

He said this at the launch of the 13th Land MALPHI Exercise involving 150 soldiers from the Malaysian army under 1st Malaysian Infantry Division and 49 from the Philippines army yesterday.

The Philippines army vice-commander Brigadier General Essel Soriano said it was hoped that the two-week exercise will instil a cordial working relationship and mutual understanding between them and their counterparts here.

“It is also our hope that this exercise will give us all avenues to work and operate together whenever necessary,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hasbullah earlier explained that the exercise was introduced since 1999 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two parties in 1994.

Since then, the exercise had been held once every two years with both countries taking turn to play host.

Among those present at the ceremony yesterday were 1st Infantry Division commander Major General Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar and Third Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Rezuan Baharuddin.

Philippines DND Plans to Purchase Indonesian Spy Plane

he government plans to procure a spy plane from Indonesia and a troop transport aircraft from Italy, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman, said the long-range maritime patrol and surveillance plane is manufactured in Indonesia under a joint venture agreement with Spain.

“On our shortlist is the Indonesian aircraft,” he said. “The long-range patrol aircraft would be devoted solely to conducting maritime surveillance.”

The DND is also scouting for a medium lift aircraft from other European countries at a lower cost, Galvez said. 

Once President Aquino approves the acquisition, the spy plane would strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness.

For a long time, the Armed Forces has been relying mainly on a small number of Islander planes for maritime and territorial patrol.

The spy plane is the CASA/IPTN CN-235. The CN-235 surveillance aircraft can double as a military transport plane. Its largest user is Turkey with 61 aircraft.

The surveillance plane has a crew of two, a pilot and co-pilot, and can carry 44 passengers and a payload of 13,120 pounds with a cruising speed of 454 kilometers per hour and a range of 2,730 nautical miles.