The rhk111 Military and Arms Page

The Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Saga of the Philippines

Photo here

May 13, 2024: South Korea officially start Offer Discussion of KF-21 Aircraft to the Philippines

A Delegation from South Korea (SK) that is attending the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 Event in Malaysia met with Philippine Officials there recently to officially start the Discussions for the possible Export of the KF-21 Boramae Fighter Aircraft to the Philippines.

This was announced by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Agency within the Government of SK that is responsible for the development of Military Equipment. Aside from the Boramae, the possible Export of Submarines and additional FA-50 Aircraft was also discussed.

Here is the Link to the Article at the Defense Mirror Website: https://www.defensemirror.com/news/36773/South_Korea_Opens_Talks_to_Export_KF_21_Jets_to_the_Philippines

SOURCE: South Korea opens Talks to export KF-21 Jets to the Philippines {Archived Link}

February 23, 2024: Hungary acquires an additional four Gripen C Aircraft

Hungary just signed a Contract to operate an additional four JAS-39C Gripen Fighter Aircraft from Saab AB for the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF). This will bring the total number of Gripens they will be operating to 18 Units.

Not much details have been released about this transaction though, like how much the cost will be, etc. However, these additional four Aircraft will likely be leased also just like the previous 14 Aircraft. The Philippines is reportedly close to acquiring the Gripen for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Here is the Link to the Article at the Jane’s Website: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/hungary-increases-gripen-fleet

SOURCE: Hungary increases Gripen Fleet {Archived Link}

Philippine ATMOS News

May 6, 2024: PA ATMOS in the Direct Fire Mode in Ilocos Norte

Here is something you don't see everyday, the Philippine Army's (PA) Autonomous Truck Mounted-howitzer System (ATMOS) being used in the Direct Firing Mode during a Counter-Landing Live Fire Exercised (LFX) in Ilocos Norte recently.

The 3rd Self-Propelled Battery of the 10th Field Artillery Battalion (10FAB) of the PA participated in the Event.

Here is the Link to the Facebook Page Post of the “Army Artillery "King of Battle" Regiment, Philippine Army” containing the original Pictures: https://web.facebook.com/KOBarmyartilleryregiment/posts/pfbid0DirD32gFNebwxgCNzfi6LPKRKQKQJBrZGMpKVmFGfz3jkhN7pnUK16FYnjfaRER8l

SOURCE: Army Artillery "King of Battle" Regiment, Philippine Army Facebook Page Post, 05/06/24 – 1526H {Archived Link}

PAF AW109H Helicopter strikes ex-BRP Caliraya with APKWS II Missile

After the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft and their AGM-65G2 Maverick Missiles, it is now the turn of the AW109H Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to fire its Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) II Missile on the former BRP Lake Caliraya (AF-81) Vessel of the Philippine Navy (PN).

The APKWS II though has a much shorter Range than the Maverick Missile when launched from a Helicopter at only 5 km, and it uses a Semi-Active Laser Homing (SALH) Guidance System where a Laser needs to be aimed at the Target until the moment of Impact. It also has a much smaller Warhead of only around 4 kg.

PAF FA-50PH Aircraft hits former BRP Caliraya with Maverick Missile

Just some nice Picture and Footages of an FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) hitting the decommissioned and former BRP Lake Caliraya (AF-81) of the Philippine Navy (PN) with an AGM-65G2 Maverick Missile.

From one of the Videos, we can see how the FA-50PH went into a slight Dive before launching the Maverick Missile, and then recovering into Level Flight after the Missile was launched.

Sen. Tolentino name drops “Isaac Peral”, which is also the Submarine Spain is offering

Senator Francis Tolentino, the Chairperson of the Senate's Special Panel on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, recently released a Statement to the Press wherein he said that the Philippines needs to acquire Submarines.

He then cited the usual Anti-China Propaganda Lines on why we need such Vessels. He also stated that, "The Importance of Submarines would lie in the ability of Submarines to have undetected, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Strategic Deterrence. It would be an Advantage to have Submarines. They resurface every 80 Days".

Amb. Romualdez confirms F-16s for the Philippines from the US will be in exchange for EDCA, VFA

The Philippines' Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose Manuel Romualdez told the Philippine Press recently that Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has already given the US a List of Equipment that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) needs, which includes F-16 Fighting Falcon Aircraft.

The Ambassador then implied that the US will likely give at least some of these Equipment that are in the List. However, at the same time, he also admitted there will be some “Strings Attached” or Conditions for the Transfer of these Equipment, and that will come in the Form of the Philippines agreeing to continue to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Indian Press announces unconfirmed delivery of an additional fourth BrahMos Battery to Philippines

The Indian Press has been announcing the delivery of a "fourth" Battery of BrahMos Missiles to the Philippines, and if so, then this is an additional Battery as the News Reports and Government Statements from the past Years has always only mentioned three Batteries that were bought based on the Contract signed by the Duterte Administration back in January 2022.

It is possible to buy an additional BrahMos Battery because if I recall correctly, the Philippines' Procurement Law does allow for a follow on order as long as it is only half the Quantity of the original Contract. Since the original Contract was for three complete Batteries, then half of that will be one complete Battery.

Tomahawk Missiles allowed on Philippine Soil, the only SEA Nation with US Missiles aimed at China

For the first time in a long while, the Philippines under the Administration of President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) has allowed the deployment of long range Land Attack Cruise Missiles of the United States (US) on its Soil which is now aimed at China.

This came in the Form of the "Typhon Mid Range Capability (MRC)" Weapons System of the US Armed Forces. The System arrived in Northern Luzon recently to participate in a Joint Philippine-US Military Exercise.

AFP should demand from the West to get the same Deal as Argentina's F-16 Aircraft

I nearly fell off my Chair after seeing the State of the secondhand F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon Aircraft that Argentina bought from Denmark recently. I wasn't really following closely that bit of News because frankly, I thought they would be nothing but just pieces of Junk as they were sold to Argentina for such a low Price of only Usd 12.5 million per Aircraft, or only Usd 300 million for 24 Aircraft.

However, when they were finally presented to the Public at a recent Presentation, not only did they look good, but were armed and equipped with pretty good Weapons and Equipment. First off, they were armed with AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) on the Wingtips, which is the primary or at least most used Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile in the West.

PAF SpyDer SAM System

April 12, 2024: PAF test SpyDer SAM in recent Exercise – April 2024

The 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (AMDG) of the Air Defense Command (ADC) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) recently evaluated the capability of their SpyDer Surface to Air Missile (SAM) System during a Military Exercise. The AMDG was also able to validate their Air Defense Plan (ADP) during the same said Exercise.

Here is the Link containing the original Pictures on the Facebook Page of the Headquarters Air Defense Command: https://web.facebook.com/AirDefenseCommandPAF/posts/pfbid0w4KqFuYWqyggrCTwaZTH6DkQAFzkhct5coL97pHNNGiR2exSdmeyS1c9qvnJzgShl

SOURCE: Headquarters Air Defense Command Facebook Page Post, 04/12/24 – 1535H {Archived Link}

February 15, 2024: Python 5 and Derby Missile FSMUs at the PAF Base

Just a look at the Full Scale Mock Up (FSMU) of the Python 5 and Derby Missiles being used on the SpyDer-Medium Range (MR) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) of the 960th Air and Missile Defense Group (960thAMDG) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that were on Display on the Group’s Headquarters.

I am not sure how accurate these FSMUs are to the real Thing, they seem a little bit different than the Pictures of ones that are available in the Internet. Still, these are a good and safe Physical Representation of the Missiles themselves.

Here are the Link to the Post containing the original Pictures on the 960thAMDG, ADC Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0k5veamEMEC8RhyBR4NhiUTUqNJRjeR1s6Gv1y38xAYJXoVC8YEnXBFEwrE2owcUtl&id=100068827736028

SOURCE: 960th Air and Missile Defense Group, Air Defense Command Facebook Page, 02/15/24 – 1303H {Archived Link}

Philippines could be the first Export Customer of the Prachand Combat Helicopter - HAL Director

There are some recent reports from the Indian Press that said that the Philippines could be the first Export Customer of India's Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), the "Prachand". The Source is reportedly no less than the Chief Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Aircraft Manufacturer "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)", C.B. Ananthakrishnan.

Ananthakrishnan said that Philippine Officials have already conducted a Test Flight on the said Helicopter and he expressed optimism that a sale could be made soon. No confirmation yet from the Philippine Side though.

PN HHi Corvette News

April 5, 2024: DBM releases fourth Milestone Payment for HHI Corvettes of the PN

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently released the fourth Milestone Payment worth Php 6 billion for the acquisition of the two brand new Corvettes of the Philippine Navy (PN) from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea (SK).

The first Milestone Payment worth Php 3.75 billion was released in December of 2021, the second worth Php 3 billion in May of 2022. The third worth Php 6 billion was released in May of last Year of 2023. The first Corvette will be delivered in 2025 and the second in 2026.

Here is the Link to the Article at the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1222094

SOURCE: DBM releases 4th Milestone Payment for Navy Missile Corvette Project {Archived Link}

March 12, 2024: PN starts Training for Crew of its brand new Corvettes from SK

The Philippine Navy (PN) just announced that it has started training its Sailors on how to operate the new Corvettes that are being acquired from South Korea (SK), the first of which will arrive on the second half of next Year of 2025.

They will eventually be sent to SK later to train with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of the Vessels. The second Corvette will be delivered in 2026

Here is the Link to the Article at the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Website: https://beta.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220577

SOURCE: Navy starts training on operations of S. Korean-made Corvettes {Archived Link}

Philippine Navy Wildcat Helicopter lands on moving BRP Luna Frigate

About a Week or so ago, the Philippine Navy (PN) released a Video of one of their AW159 Wildcat Helicopters landing on a Deck of a stationary Jose Rizal Class Frigate (JRCF). Recently though the PN released another Video, this time of one of their Wildcat Helicopters landing on the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) Guided Missile Frigate while it was moving.

This is probably one of the most difficult Things to do for Helicopter Pilots, as you can see from the Video it wasn't exactly easy as the Helicopter ended up being moved around slightly by the Winds. This Landing though marks a Major Milestone or Achievement for PN Pilots as they were able to do such a difficult Job.

KAI offers FA-50 Aircraft to Thailand, and also revealed KF-21 Price and Operating Cost

Early last Month of March 2024, News Reports came out that Thailand intended to retire a Squadron of their F-16C Fighting Falcon Aircraft and replace them likely with the JAS-39E/F Gripen, and that they plan to initially acquire four of them for Usd 530 million, or approximately Usd 132.5 million per Aircraft.

In light of that development, the South Korean Manufacturer "Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)" is offering Thailand to buy their FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) instead. KAI said that for that Price, Thailand could buy eight FA-50s instead of just four Gripen E/Fs.

AW159 Wildcat Helicopters and Jose Rizal Frigates officially Starts Integration

After several Years in Service, the official Integration of the AW159 Wildcat Helicopter and the Jose Rizal-class Frigates (JRCF) of the Philippine Navy (PN) has finally started recently. A Series of Lectures and Flight Operations were made to the Crew of both the Helicopter and the Ships to begin the Process.

The Wildcat Helicopters were commissioned back in 2019 and the first of the JRCF Ships was commissioned into Service a Year later back in 2020 by the PN, and they both have made Joint Operations before, but it seems it is only now that they are officially being integrated together.

Philippine Marines practice destroying a Bridge which they may need to do in times of War

Troops of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) were seen practicing how to destroy a Bridge with what looks like Composition-4 (C-4) Explosives during a recent Military Exercise. This Practice is called the "Strategic Demolition of Critical Infrastructure", and one of its purpose is to delay or deny the advancement of Enemy Troops, and to neutralize Enemy Forces as well if the Situation allows it.

By delaying the Enemy, this could give the Marines more time to regroup or wait for reinforcements. Another Purpose is to disrupt the Enemy's Supply Lines, making it harder for them to carry supplies back and forth from and to their advancing Forces.

Philippine Marines MBLT-10 trains with ATGL-L2 Rocket Launchers

The Marine Battalion Landing Team - 10 (MBLT-10) of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) recently conducted the "Panabay 03-24" Exercise which was designed to train them to counter Landing Operations.

The Exercise allowed the Unit to train with their new ATGL-L2 Rocket Launchers which is based on the RPG-7 design. The PMC bought 702 units for around Php 675k (Usd 13.78k) each, with each unit coming with several Accessories such as Optical Sights, Training Rounds, etc.

China building fourth Aircraft Carrier, to be Nuclear-powered and use Electro-Magnetic Catapults

The Vice Admiral and Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) just recently confirmed to the Hong Kong Press that they are building their fourth Aircraft Carrier, and that it will likely be Nuclear-powered, which would make it the first PLAN Aircraft Carrier to be so.

China's previous three Aircraft Carriers were all conventionally-powered, with the first two, the "Liaoning" and the "Shandong" use Ski Ramps to launch Aircraft while the third, the "Fujian", uses an Electro-Magnetic Catapult System (EMCS).

Philippines’ DND should provide regular Updates on acquisitions like Malaysian Defense Ministry

The Deputy Defence Minister of Malaysia, Adly Zahari reported recently to the Malaysian Public that the Progress of the Contract for the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) that they bought from South Korea (SK) is now 27% complete.

Two Aircraft will be delivered in the third Quarter of 2026 while the remaining 16 Units will be delivered in Batches until the end of 2027. These Aircraft are also set to undergo a Mid-Life Upgrade Programme to enable them to serve with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) until 2055.

Philippine Navy to upgrade Surveillance Capability of their C90 Aircraft

The United States (US) based Company "Integrated Surveillance and Defense" (ISD) recently told the "Flight Global" Website that the Philippine Navy (PN) is interested in modifying the C90 King Air Aircraft that was donated to them by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) to have improved Surveillance Capability and that ISD is offering their Services to do it.

No other Details were provided like what modifications the PN wants to install on the Aircraft, but a quick look at the ISD Website shows that they can integrate Sensors like Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) Systems, Radar Systems, Satellite and Terrestrial Communications Systems, etc. to fixed-wing Aircraft.