Philippines, Spain prepare MOU for defense equipment deal.

Ranking Department of National Defense (DND) officials and their counterparts from the Directorate General of Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) of Spain's Ministry of Defense have met to discuss a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which could serve as legal framework for the acquisition of Spanish military equipment through government-to-government deals.

Ranking Department of National Defense (DND) officials and their counterparts from the Directorate General of Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) of Spain's Ministry of Defense have met to discuss a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (Picture source: Philippines MoD)

In a statement published on 25 October, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the Spanish delegation was headed by Maj. Gen. Felipe De La Plaza, Deputy National Director for International Relations. He and other members of his team met with DND Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics Jesus Rey R. Avilla from Oct. 20 to 23 to discuss the proposed MOU on Logistics, Defense Materiel, Armaments and Defense Industry Cooperation between the two countries. “The proposed MOU will serve as the legal framework for the DND to procure defense equipment from Spain through Government-to-Government deals pursuant to RA 9184. This is very timely due to the ongoing implementation of the 2nd Horizon of the Revised AFP Modernization Program,” Avilla said. The Spanish delegation also manifested interest in collaborating with the local defense industry and even visited ARMSCOR, a local firearms manufacturing company.

Spanish defense industries have actively participated in various procurement projects of the AFP under the AFP Modernization Program. Among the most recent acquisitions involving the European nation were the three units of medium-lift aircraft (C-295) for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) worth PHP5.29 billion, which were procured from Spanish aircraft manufacturer EADS CASA, now Airbus. The aircraft is now being used for air transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Additionally, a Notice of Award has been issued last Oct. 16 in favor of Airbus for the procurement of one unit of command-and-control fixed-wing turboprop aircraft for the PAF with a contract price of PHP1.8 billion.