Philippines' Department of Defense to allow $156 million for upgrade projects

Defence & Security News - Republic of the Philippines
 
 
 Philippines' Department of Defense to allow $156 million for upgrade projects
Data obtained by The Philippine STAR from the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) showed that the Philippine armed forces will get several upgrade projects in 2015, for a total budget of $156 mn. The Philippine Army and general headquarters will get 18 projects each, the Navy 16 and the Air Force 13. Two projects will be for the government arsenal.
     
Data obtained by The Philippine STAR from the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) showed that the Philippine armed forces will get several upgrade projects in 2015, for a total budget of $156 mn. The Philippine Army and general headquarters will get 18 projects each, the Navy 16 and the Air Force 13. Two projects will be for the government arsenal. Philippine Army Scout Rangers parade during the army change of command ceremony at Fort Bonifacio
     
Philippine officials said 18 of the 67 projects are classified items that cannot be bared to the public.

The Air Force will get six units of close air support aircraft worth $110 mn, eight units of combat helicopters worth $106 mn, eight attack helicopters worth $76 mn, two lead-in fighter trainer jets worth $70 mn, one medium-lift aircraft worth $39 mn and two light-lift aircraft worth $18 million.

Other Air Force projects due for delivery include jet munitions worth $50 mn, basing support system radar worth $18 million, basing support for long-range patrol aircraft worth $4 mn, search and rescue basing worth $3.3 mn, basing support system for lead-in fighter trainer jets worth $3 mn and a flight simulator worth $6,000.

The Navy projects include the Marine Forces Imagery and Targeting Support System or drones worth $15 mn.

It will involve the acquisition of surveillance equipment to boost Marines’ security and search and rescue operations.

The package will include six sets of drones or small unmanned aerial vehicle sub-system, nine sets of target acquisition device sub-systems, 12 kits of tactical sensor integration sub-systems and integrated logistics support.

Other Navy projects to be delivered include two naval helicopters worth $19 million, naval base logistics support worth $11 million, six units of 155mm howitzer and 120 rounds of ammunition worth $4 million, 10 units of small amphibian vehicles worth $2 million, 330 units of personal role radios worth $1.9 million, 720 units of 40mm grenade launchers worth $1.5 million, 120 units of 7.62mm designated marksman rifles worth $1.5 million, 85 units of 7.62mm sniper rifles worth $1.1 million, 20 units of 60mm mortars worth $1.5 million and 10 units of 81mm mortars worth $750,000.

The Army will get 44,080 units of force protection equipment worth $39 mn; 4,464 units of night fighting systems worth $25 mn, 520 Manpack radios with a total amount of $14.5 million, 28 armored vehicles worth $19.5 million, 12,657 units of assault rifles acquired through negotiated bidding worth $10.79 million and 10,965 units of assault rifles purchased through public bidding worth $10 million.

Other deliveries are 1,446 units of 2-5W hand-held radios worth $10 million, 60 field ambulances worth $6.9 million, thermal imaging device worth $5.3 million, six units of howitzers with 120 rounds of ammunition worth $5.3 million, 60 units of 50W AV configuration radio worth $3.2 million, tactical engagement simulation system worth $3 million, 54 units of 60mm mortar worth $2.35 million and CAFGU active auxiliary communication system worth $1.1 million.

General headquarters projects are 686 light utility vehicles worth $41.3 mn,, military engineering equipment worth $13.5 million, Armed Forces medical and dental equipment upgrade worth $2.42 million, first forward medics equipment worth $710,000, enhanced data generation system worth P20 million and Camp Bautista hospital equipment worth $211,000.