Military Equipment Acquisitions Under the PNoy Administration

(Revised October 28, 2016. See bottom of the page for the complete revision history)

Remington R4 Rifle markings of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

It just occurred to me one day that we are in a unique position to DOCUMENT all of the important military purchases and donations under this Administration, hence the idea behind this blog. Besides, I am not optimistic that the next Administration will acquire as much for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), so might as well just enjoy what we have now.

’Blog Rules’
Just some “House Rules” or “Blog Rules” about the acquisitions I will be listing below, first is that I want the news to be confirmed by a MAJOR news organization or a reputable website before I consider it. “Major” meaning a registered news organization like “GMA7”, for example, or “ABS-CBN”, etc. Or websites like the “Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines”, etc.

Second, I am looking for as much DETAILS as possible for the purchases, like how many were bought, for how much, from what company, estimated delivery dates, etc. More often than not there has been a couple of Press Releases about supposed acquisitions with very little details afterwards whether they did push thru or not. So if I see only one news item with little visibility about what happened afterwards, then I am not going to consider it.

This means I am going to CONSERVATIVE about what to list here, I want to note down only those that has actually been delivered, or at least have good visibility about their delivery dates, or that I find the details to be more or less complete. Hence there will be a number of stated acquisitions that will not be noted down here. Alternatively, if an acquisition that has been listed below but did not push thru, it will be removed.

Like my “Timelines” blog, I plan this to be a “running” blog, regularly updating it as better information becomes available.

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PHILIPPINE NAVY

* Three Gregorio Del Pilar class Frigates
Refurbished second hand former Hamilton class Cutters of the US Coast Guard, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15, former USCGC Hamilton) was acquired for Usd 10 million and arrived in the Philippines in August 2011, while the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16, former USCGC Dallas) was acquired for Usd 15 million and arrived in the Philippines in August 2013. A third one, the USCGC Boutwell, was announced by US President Barack Obama during the 2015 APEC Summit as will be donated to the Philippines.
SOURCES:
- Briefer on the BRP Gregorio del Pilar;
- Phl spends $15 M on 2nd US Hamilton-class Cutter;
- PH to get 3rd Hamilton-class Warship from US

* Three Mk 2 Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts
Brand new Mk 2 versions of the Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs) with pennant numbers BA-485, BA-486 and BA-487 bought from the Philippine company Propmech Corp. for approximately Usd 2 million each. All boats were delivered in 2012.
SOURCE:
- Gazmin assures Navy of brand-new gear, assets showcased on Navy Day

* Three Oil Tankers
Refurbished second hand former Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) Tankers, the BRP Lake Caliraya (former PNOC Lapu-Lapu) and the former PNOC Emilio Jacinto and PNOC Lapu-Lapu ships donated to the Philippine Navy.
SOURCE:
- PNOC donates 3 tankers to Philippine Navy

* Five AW109 Multi-Role Helicopters
Brand new AW109 Light Attack Helicopters bought from the European Company AgustaWestland for Usd 9.6 million each. The first three were unarmed, while two are armed. The last of the five units was commissioned into service on August 10, 2015.
SOURCE:
- Navy acquiring 3 new Helicopters
- Philippine Navy Signs Contract for Two Additional AW109 Power Helicopters

* Two Tarlac-class Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs)
Brand new, these are actually Landing Platform Dock (LPD) vessels that can carry troops, tanks, ships and helicopters. It is made by the Indonesian company PT PAL and bought for the price of USD 45 million each. The first one, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), was commissioned into service on June 1, 2016.
SOURCES:
- PT PAL kicks off production of Warships for the Philippines
- Philippine Navy commissions first SSV, three Landing Craft on 118th Anniversary

* Five Ivatan-class Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) Vessels
Refurbished second hand former Balikpapan class Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels of the Royal Australian Navy. Two of the ships, BRP Ivatan (AT-298, former HMAS Brunei) and BRP Batak (AT-299 former HMAS Tarakan) were donated and were commissioned into service on August 10, 2015. The other three BRP Waray (LC-288, former HMAS Wewak), BRP Iwak (LC-289, former HMAS Betano), and BRP Agta (LC-290, former HMAS Balikapapan)were bought for the price of USD 5.5 million each and were commissioned into service on June 1, 2016.
SOURCES:
- PHL to buy 3 naval landing Craft from Australia
- Philippine Navy commissions first SSV, three landing Craft on 118th Anniversary

* One Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Vessel
Refurbished second hand former LCU-78 Mulgae-class Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel of the South Korean Navy. The vessel was donated by South Korea, but the total cost of the acquisition was USD 933k (USD 355k for the transport of the vessel from South Korea, and USD 578k for its refurbishment).
SOURCE: Korea-Donated Transport Ship Being Refurbished

* One Pohang-class Corvette
Refurbished second hand former ROKS Mokpo (PCC-759), a Pohang-class Corvette of the South Korean Navy. The vessel was donated by South Korea, but the total cost of the acquisition was USD 312k (USD 244k for the transport of the vessel from South Korea, and USD 68k for its refurbishment).
SOURCE: PN to acquire Spare Parts for WCEIS of 'Pohang' class Corvette

* One Velasquez-class Oceanographic Research Vessel
Refurbished second hand former R/V Melville Oceanographic Research Vessel of the US Scripps Institution of Oceanography renamed as BRP Gregorio Velasquez. The vessel was donated by the US as announced by US President Barack Obama during the 2015 APEC Summit.
SOURCE: US Navy research ship is now BRP Gregorio Velasquez

* Three Mk 3 Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts
Brand new Mk 3 versions of the Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs) bought from the Philippine company Propmech Corp. and Taiwanese company Lung Teh Shipbuilding Corp. worth approximately USD 7.4 million each. The three boats will be armed with the Mini-Typhoon Remote Weapons System (RWS) and an unknown variant of the Spike missile. These will be the first missile-armed ships in service with the Philippine Navy.
SOURCE: Israeli Missiles, RWS to Equip Philippine Navy Combat Boats

* Two AW159 ASW Helicopters
Brand new AW159 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Helicopters bought from the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland for Php 2.68 billion each. 
SOURCE: DND, AgustaWestland ink Contract for 2 Anti-Submarine Helicopters {Archived Link}


PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

* 18 SF-260FH Aircraft
Brand new SF-260FH fixed wing Basic Trainer aircraft from the Italian company Alenia Aermacchi for the price of approximately USD 768k each, all of which were commissioned into service in September 22, 2011.
SOURCE: Air Force unveils 18 new trainer planes

* Three C-295M Medium Lift Aircraft
Brand new, these C-295M aircraft were bought from the Spanish firm Airbus Military for the price of USD 39.7 million each. The last one was commissioned into service in January 22, 2016.
SOURCES:
- PH to get 3 new Spanish Transport Planes
- PAF commissions 3rd C-295 Transport Aircraft

* Two C212i Light Lift Aircraft
Brand new, these C-212i aircraft were bought from the Indonesian firm PT Dirgantara for the price of USD 9 million each.
SOURCE: Indonesian firm wins PAF aircraft supply deal

* Eight AW109 Light Attack Helicopters
Brand new AW109 Light Attack Helicopters bought from the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland for USD 9.4 million each. The first two were commissioned into service in August 2015 while the rest were commissioned in December 2015.
SOURCES:
- Air Force gets 8 new attack Helicopters
- 10 brand new Choppers turned over to PAF

* Twelve FA-50 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) Aircraft
Brand new FA-50 Fighting Eagle Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) with secondary role as Light Combat Aircraft (LCAs), these were brought from the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the price of USD 35 million each.
SOURCE: PH completes negotiations for 12 fighter Jets

* Eight Bell 412 Transport Helicopters
Brand new Bell 412 Helicopters bought from the Canadian company Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) for USD 13.1 million each and all were commissioned into service in August 2015.
SOURCES:
- Bell Helicopter, CCC sign agreement to supply Bell 412EPs to Philippine
- 10 brand new choppers turned over to PAF

* Two C-130 Heavy Lift Aircraft
Refurbished second-hand C-130 aircraft from the US Armed Forces inventory, these aircraft were purchased at the cost of USD 27.5 million each. The first one was commissioned into the Air Force in April 2016 while the second one in October 2016.
SOURCES:
- Philippines to Purchase Two US C-130 Aircraft
- US turns over C130 cargo plane to PH Air Force

* Seven UH-1 Transport Helicopters
Refurbished second-hand UH-1 Huey Helicopters were purchased from the joint venture of Rice Aircraft Services Inc. and Eagle Copters Ltd. for USD 1.3 million each. 21 aircraft were ordered, only seven were delivered.
SOURCE: Engine defects in newly delivered Air Force choppers exposed

* Three ELM-2288 Air Surveillance Radars
Brand new ELM-2288 AD-Star Air Surveillance Radars were bought from the Israeli company Elta System Ltd for USD 18.7 million each.
SOURCES:
- Government signs P2-B air surveillance Radar deal
- Philippines to acquire Elta Systems Radars

PHILIPPINE ARMY

* 100 M69B Mortars
Brand new 100 M69B 81 mm Mortars were bought from an unnamed Serbian company for the price of approximately USD 42k each. The units were delivered by December 2013.
SOURCES:
- Only one firm joins bidding for Army's ammunition supply
- PA M69B Mortar.jpg at Wikimedia Commons

* 30 HUMVEE Ambulances
Brand new High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HUMVEE) were bought from an unnamed American company (possibly AM General) for the price of USD 633k each. The units were handed over in a ceremony last January 29, 2015.
SOURCE: U.S. “HUMVEE” Ambulances acquired by AFP

* 44,186 M4 Assault Rifles
Brand new R4 Rifles (a variant of the M4 rifle) were bought from the American company Remington for USD 834 each. The last of the units were delivered in December 2014.
SOURCE: Military savings of P1.2B may buy additional modern rifles; 23,700 M4s given out soon

* 28 M113 Heavily Armed Armored Vehicles
A total of 28 refurbished second-hand M113 Armored Vehicles in various configurations were obtained from the Israeli company Elbit Systems Land and C41 for an average price of USD 820k each (only 24 were paid for, four were offered for free). Breakdown of the M113 configurations are as follows:
- 14 Fire Support Vehicles (FSVs) with FV101 Scorpion Turrets
- 4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) with 25 mm guns in Remote Weapons Station (RWS) mount
- 6 IFVs with .50 cal Machine Guns in RWS mounts
- 4 Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARVs, given for free with the package)
SOURCE: The Philippine Army – developing a Modernisation Strategy

* 114 M113 Transport Armored Vehicles
A total of 114 refurbished second-hand M113 Armored Vehicles were obtained from the US Government. The vehicles were provided for free, but the government paid around USD 1.5 million for their transportation to the Philippines. All were commissioned into service on Feb. 4, 2016.
SOURCES:
- US transfers 114 Armored Personnel Carriers to AFP
- MODERNIZED II Philippine Army receives 114 Armored Tasks

* 332 KM450 Trucks
219 brand new KM450 Trucks used for troop transport made by the South Korean company, Kia Motors for USD 60k each were delivered in January 2016. Two deliveries of an additional 113 units were commissioned into service in August 2016.
SOURCES:
- AFP has 327 brand new trucks to be used in combat ops, disaster response
- HEIGHTENED MOBILITY | 6ID Receives New Military Trucks
- MOBILITY ENHANCEMENT | 4ID receives new military vehicles

* 10 KM451 Ambulances
10 brand new KM451 Ambulances made by the South Korean company, Kia Motors were commissioned into service in August 2016.
SOURCE: HEIGHTENED MOBILITY | 6ID Receives New Military Trucks

* 4,464 Night Vision Devices
4,464 brand new A100 Night Vision Devices (NVD) made by the Turkish company, Aselsan Corp. for USD 3.45k each.
SOURCE: ADAS 2016: Aselsan achieves first A100 export



PHILIPPINE MARINES

* Eight KAAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles
Brand new Korea Amphibious Assault Vehicles (KAAV7) were bought from the South Korean company Samsung Techwin for USD 6.7 million each.
SOURCE: South Korean firm sole bidder in DND’s assault Vehicle deal

* 6,443 M4 Assault Rifles
Brand new R4 Rifles (a variant of the M4 rifle) were bought from the American company Remington for USD 834 each. The last of the units were delivered in December 2014.
SOURCE: Military savings of P1.2B may buy additional modern Rifles; 23,700 M4s given out soon

Front-Side view of a Hummer Ambulance of the Philippine Army. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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Revision History:
(0) May 24, 2015: Originally posted.
(1) July 3, 2015: Added information about BRP Caliraya, the new M113s and the Mulgae-class LCU.
(2) August 26, 2015: Added information on the three MPAC Mk2; The 18 SF-260FHs; The commissioning of the two LCHs from Australia; And the commissioning of last of the Navy AW109s and eight Air Force Bell 412s.
(3) January 12, 2016: Added the third Del Pilar class ship, commissioning of all Air Force AW109s, the 114 M113s and a numbering system for the revision summary.
(4) February 24, 2016: Added Tarlac-class designation for the SSVs and Ivatan-class designation of the LCHs; Added commissioning of M113s; Added the acquisition of Pohang-class Corvette, R/V Melville, Air Surveillance Radars and KM450 Trucks.
(5) June 7, 2016: Changed the “Sources” format, and started using “The Wayback Machine” to archive the links; Added cost of transportation for the M113s and renaming of the Melville to the Velasquez; Added the Mk 3 MPACs and AW159 Helicopters; Added the commissioning of the last three LCHs from Australia and the BRP Tarlac.
(6) October 28, 2016: Added delivery of additional 113 KM450 Trucks and delivery of 10 KM451 Ambulances; Added the A100 NVDs from Aselsan; Added commissioning of C-130Ts into the Air Force.

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19 comments:

  1. Not included yet are the 400RPGs, the 114 M113A2's, the 10 PCG vessels, the 4 Sherpa Planes and 12 Soltham Athos 115mm Howitzers.

    These are expected a go after congress made a positive reaction on calls to accelerate the modernization program.

    Although there's a slim chance, I am still hoping for a 3rd (even 4th) WHEC Hamilton Class, 2 brand new frigates and the 1 Pohang corvette.

    God have mercy....

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  2. I think a war is likely to happen against China within the next 6 years. Our government should have focused more on completing the radar coverage of the entire Philippines and arming the coastal areas of Palawan and western Luzon with medium-range Anti-Ship & SAM missile batteries. These will provide immediate defensive & offensive capability for the AFP. Big ticket items such as LIFTs/MRFs, Frigates, etc. can be procured afterwards...

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  3. Sad to think that PNOY HIMSELF seems to be the reason for the delays in the AFP Modernization, refusing to approve new purchases. Even sadder still is the fact that he REFUSES to divulge WHY he is intentionally delaying the modernization ...

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  4. Boost up more equipment for AFP, multi-role fighter jets, more attack & transport helicopters, submarines, destroyers, frigates, corvettes or even aircraft carrier if possible, it's not too late!!! Go! go! go! Philippines!!!

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  5. Just an inquiry regarding firearms. what can you say about Ferfrans in Cebu. They currently supplying assault rifles to PNP-SAF according to their website. Why can't they get this big-time deals like the M4 of Remington? Is it the price, the quality, the performance? I thinking we can get more with the same quality since they are based here in the PH.

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  6. The acquisition of the Army's M4 Rifles went thru a PUBLIC BIDDING, meaning the supplier that can deliver on schedule at the desired quality and the LOWEST PRICE wins the contract. Now as per Ferfrans, not sure if they joined the bidding, but if they did, they LOST, meaning they couldn't provide the lowest price at the desired schedule and quality.

    If they did NOT join the bidding, its possibly due to capacity issues, meaning they could not deliver the desired quantity at the desired schedule. The order was for around 50,000 rifles in a couple of months, and not many suppliers are capable of making that delivery ...

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  7. thanks, maybe they lost or did not bid - but i really wish that in the future PH based suppliers will help our military in building up our own capability like guns and ammo, aircraft, ships, and other military needs.
    i envy countries like indonesia and vietnam, after buying naval assets they can produce their own ships.

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  8. The GOVERNMENT ARSENAL is slowly building up our capability to make our own ammunition and even rifles, so we do have a program for self-reliance.

    As for Indonesia and Vietnam building their own ships, well don't underestimate Indonesia, they have always been the REGIONAL POWER in South East Asia. Their economy is almost four times bigger than ours, way bigger than even Singapore or Malaysia. The only reason why their Per Capita Income is low is because they have so many people, over 250 million, much bigger than even ours.

    As for Vietnam, their economy is smaller than ours, but they have a LOT of oil, TEN TIMES that of Malampaya. Imagine how the Philippine economy would be now if Malampaya was ten times bigger, that's what Vietnam has now, so no wonder they can buy Submarines and much more modern Ships.

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  9. God is merciful. The third WHEC is coming and so is the Pohang. I believe that a 4th WHEC is very possible.

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  10. I can't find any news about the Pohang, but the Munro WHEC is a possibility. Maybe once EDCA is approved? Maybe ...

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  11. yes indeed, Pohang and third WHEC, God is good mate

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  12. How about arming our navy vessels and MPACS with DENEL ZT3 INGWE

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  13. Christian FilipinoMarch 15, 2016 at 7:36 PM

    Thanks for blogging about this. Nakakapagpasaya ng damdamin na meron tayo mga acquisition ng military equipment.

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  14. i still believed that in the future we could be self reliant in getting our military equipment. that's why congress and senate must act more rather than politicking.
    a lot of urgent matters should have been done. i have not seen emergency session in regards to china intrusion in our economic zone and drought due to el nino. in these 2 issues alone we could see inability of our govt to respond.
    its not bleak. hope after these election our govt will also make priorities to strengthen our military due to external threat.

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  15. any news about the Pohang?

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  16. Nothing good. The last was that rumor I posted on my FB page a couple of days ago ...

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  17. Hope u can update this on June 30 being his last day in office. The hate voters especially who chose leftist leader thinks this admin wasted funds.

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  18. […] been possible without these sources – Philippine Arms Procurement Summary (1950-2014) and Military Equipment Acquisitions Under The PNoy Aministration. I would be posting more or less the original text because it basically covers […]

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  19. I dont think the current president wont accelerate even more for the modernization of our military..During his campaign, he said that he will not stop the project but he is more focused on internal defense.I hope he will not forget this...

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