(Revised July 26, 2024. See bottom of the page for the complete revision history)
I will be following the same “House Rules” or “Blog Rules” from my previous blog about PNoy’s acquisitions, which is 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.
As stated above, this will be a “running” blog which will be regularly updated as better information becomes available.
PHILIPPINE NAVY
Two (2) Jose Rizal class Frigates
In October 2016, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire two (2) brand new Frigates from the South Korean Company, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the price of Usd 163 million each. This acquisition is bound to be controversial because much of the work, around 80-90%, was done under the previous PNoy administration. But in the end it was Duterte's Administration who signed the contract and pushed into the “Point of No Return”, so I feel he should get the credit for it. The first Vessel was commissioned into service in July 2020 while the second and final Vessel in March 2021.
Sources:
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| The Philippine Navy's new Frigate. Photo courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). |
It is now time to start a new running blog of the acquisition of weapons and equipment for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte started signing contracts for them. This will be a continuation of my other blog about similar acquisitions by President Benigno Aquino Jr. or PNoy.1
’Blog Rules’I will be following the same “House Rules” or “Blog Rules” from my previous blog about PNoy’s acquisitions, which is 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.
As stated above, this will be a “running” blog which will be regularly updated as better information becomes available.
PHILIPPINE NAVY
Two (2) Jose Rizal class Frigates
In October 2016, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire two (2) brand new Frigates from the South Korean Company, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the price of Usd 163 million each. This acquisition is bound to be controversial because much of the work, around 80-90%, was done under the previous PNoy administration. But in the end it was Duterte's Administration who signed the contract and pushed into the “Point of No Return”, so I feel he should get the credit for it. The first Vessel was commissioned into service in July 2020 while the second and final Vessel in March 2021.
Sources:
Five (5) secondhand TC-90 Aircraft to be used as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Japan. This is another project started under the PNoy Administration, but signed under Duterte. These were initially leased by Japan to the Philippines, but were subsequently donated after a request by the Philippine government. The first two aircraft were delivered in March 2017 while the final three in March 2018.
Sources:
- PH, Japan to Sign Lease Agreement for 5 Trainer Aircraft
Three (3) brand new Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC Mk III) Vessels were bought from the Filipino company Propmech Corp. for the price of approximately Php 90 million (Usd 1.77 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 50.94) each without the weapons. Delivered in August 2019 and then commissioned into service in September 2019.
Sources:
- Philippines to procure additional MPACs from local Industry
One (1) Conrado Yap class Corvette
One (1) secondhand, refurbished BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) was a former Pohang class Corvette that was donated by South Korea to the Philippines. It was delivered and commissioned into service in August 2019.
Three (3) Del Pilar class Ship Upgrades
Upgrades for the three (3) Del Pilar class Ships were contracted to the South Korean Company Hanwha Systems Co. for Usd 8.5 million or Php 433 million each Ship at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51. The upgrades includes the installation of Hull Mounted Sonars (HMS), Combat Management System (CMS) and Radar Electronic Support Measure (RESM).
Nine (9) Shaldag Mk V Craft
In February 2021, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire nine (9) brand new Shaldag Mk V Craft for the Fast Attack and Interdiction Craft (FAIC-M) Project from the Israeli Company Israel Shipyards Ltd for the price of approximately Php 770 million (Usd 15.9 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 48.18) each. 8 were bought, 1 was provided for free by the Manufacturer. A separate Contract for the Weapons was set at Php 3.8 billion (Usd 79.4 million).
Sources:
Six (6) OPVs
In June 2022, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire six (6) brand new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) from the South Korean Company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the total price of Php 30 billion (Usd 576.9 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 52), or around Php 5 billion (Usd 96.15 million) each. Delivery is set to be completed by 2026.
Sources:
Two (2) Landing Docks
In June 2022, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire two (2) brand new Landing Docks (LD) from the Indonesian Company PT Pal Persero for the total price of Php 5.56 billion (Usd 101 million assuming the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 55), or around Php 2.78 billion (Usd 50.5 million) each.
Source:
PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS
Seven hundred two (702) ATGL-L2 Rocket Launchers
Seven hundred two (702) units of the ATGL-L2 Rocket Launchers were bought from the Bulgarian Company Arsenal JSCO for Usd 13.78k or Php 675k each at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 49.
Three (3) BrahMos Missile Batteries
In June 2022, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire three (3) brand new PJ-10 BrahMos Missile Batteries from the joint Indian-Russian Company BrahMos Aerospace for the total price of Php 18.9 billion (Usd 375 million assuming the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 50.4), or around Php 6.3 billion (Usd 125 million) each. Delivery is set to start in 2023.
Source:
Six (6) Super Tucano Aircraft
Six (6) brand new A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft were bought from the Brazilian company Embraer for the price of Php 827 million (Usd 16.5 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 50.10) each. The Aircraft were delivered in September to October 2020, then commissioned into service in October 2020.
Sources:
- Embraer Secures Super Tucano Contract from the Philippines
- Philippine Air Force formally inducts A-29B Super Tucano Aircraft
Sixteen (16) Black Hawk Helicopters
Sixteen (16) Brand new S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters were bought from the Polish company PZL Mielec for the price of Php 792 million (Usd 15 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 52.79) each. Delivery is set to start on the third quarter of 2020 and completed by 2021, but could be done earlier.
Sources:
- Philippine Air Force formally inducts A-29B Super Tucano Aircraft
Sixteen (16) Black Hawk Helicopters
Sixteen (16) Brand new S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters were bought from the Polish company PZL Mielec for the price of Php 792 million (Usd 15 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 52.79) each. Delivery is set to start on the third quarter of 2020 and completed by 2021, but could be done earlier.
Sources:
- PH to buy US Helicopters, not Russian, due to sanctions: Lorenzana
- PAF awaits delivery of Super Tucano Planes, Black Hawk Choppers
Revision History:
(0) October 30, 2016: Originally posted.
(1) June 6, 2017: Added donation by the US government to the Philippine Marines.
(2) December 1, 2017: Added the acquisition of the Super Tucano and the change to donation of the TC-90
(3) March 14, 2018: Added US donation of ScanEagles and months and dates to delivery of most items
(4) June 21, 2019: Added acquisition of Black Hawks and MPAC Mk IV
- PAF awaits delivery of Super Tucano Planes, Black Hawk Choppers
Thirty-two (32) S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters
In February 2022, the Philippines signed a Contract to acquire thirty-two (32) brand new S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters from the Polish Company PZL Mielec for the total Price of Php 32 billion (Usd 624 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51.28), or around Php 1 billion (Usd 19.5 million) each. Delivery is set to start in 2023 and completed by 2026.
Sources:
One (1) C-295 C2 Aircraft
One (1) brand new C-295 Command and Control (C2) Aircraft was bought from the Spanish company Airbus Defense and Space for the price of Php 1.8 billion (Usd 35.3 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51) each. Delivered and commissioned into service in November 2019.
Two (2) AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters
Two (2) secondhand AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters were donated by Jordan to the Philippines. They were delivered in November 2019.
One (1) G280 C2 Aircraft
One (1) brand new G280 Command and Control (C2) Aircraft was bought from the American Company Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in November 2018 for the price of Php 1.9 billion (Usd 37 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51) each. It was delivered and commissioned into service in September 2020.
Sources:
Three (3) Hermes 450 Drones
Three (3) brand new Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were bought from the Israeli Company Elbit Systems Limited in November 2018 as part of an Php 8 billion (Usd 157 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51) Contract. Two were already delivered as of August 2019.
Nine (9) Hermes 900 Drones
Nine (9) brand new Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were bought from the Israeli Company Elbit Systems Limited in November 2018 as part of an Php 8 billion (Usd 157 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51) Contract.
Three (3) Fixed Surveillance Radars
Three (3) brand new fixed Air Surveillance Radars (ASR) were bought from the Japanese Company Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) in August 2020 as part of an Php 5.5 billion (Usd 103.5 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 53) Contract. Delivery is to start in 2022.
Source: Philippine Air Force to get Air Surveillance System Boost, as Secretary Lorenzana signs Contract with Japan {Archived Link}
One (1) Mobile Surveillance Radar
One (1) brand new Mobile Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) was bought from the Japanese Company Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) in August 2020 as part of an Php 5.5 billion (Usd 103.5 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 53) Contract. Delivery will be in 2022.
Source: Philippine Air Force to get Air Surveillance System Boost, as Secretary Lorenzana signs Contract with Japan {Archived Link}
Three (3) SpyDer Ground Based Air Defense System
Three (3) units of the Spyder Surface to Air Missile (SAM) Systems were bought from the Israeli Company Rafael Advanced Systems Ltd for Usd 43.2 million or Php 2.07 billion each at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 48.
Two (2) C-130 Transport Aircraft
Two (2) secondhand C-130 Hercules Aircraft were acquired from the US as Excess Defense Article (EDA) at the cost of Php 1.25 billion (Usd 25 million assuming an Usd-Php Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 50) per aircraft. The US partially paid for the acquisition, spending Php 900 million (Usd 18 million) while the Philippines provided the remaining Php 1.6 billion (Usd 32 million). The 1st of the 2 Aircraft arrived in January 2021 and was commissioned into service by the PAF in February 2021.
Sources:
Thirty (30) Sabrah Light Tanks
In June 2021, the Philippines signed a Government-to-Government Contract to acquire twenty (20) brand new ASCOD II (Tracked) Sabrah and ten (10) brand new PANDUR II (Wheeled) Sabrah Light Tanks from the Israeli Company Elbit Systems Limited (Ltd) for Php 9.4 billion (Usd 172 million using the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 54.65) thru a Government-to-Government Contract. Delivery is expected to be completed by 2024
Sources:
PHILIPPINE ARMY
Twelve (12) ATMOS Self Propelled Artillery
Twelve (12) brand new Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) were bought from the Israeli company Elbit Systems for the price of Php 198.83 million (Usd 3.93 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51) per unit. Delivery is set for April 2022.
Ninety (90) Ural Truck Troop Carriers
Ninety (90) brand new Truck Troop Carriers made by the Russian Company Ural Automotive Plant has been acquired for the price of Php 3.6 million (Usd 75k assuming an Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 48) each, and are set to be delivered within this Year (2021)
Six (6) T129B ATAK Helicopters
In July 2020, the Philippines signed a Government-to-Government Contract to acquire six (6) brand new T129B ATAK Helicopters from the Company Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for Php 14.9 billion (Usd 269 million using the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 55.39). Delivery was completed in November 2023.
Sources:
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| A TC-90 aircraft of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. |
Revision History:
(0) October 30, 2016: Originally posted.
(1) June 6, 2017: Added donation by the US government to the Philippine Marines.
(2) December 1, 2017: Added the acquisition of the Super Tucano and the change to donation of the TC-90
(3) March 14, 2018: Added US donation of ScanEagles and months and dates to delivery of most items
(4) June 21, 2019: Added acquisition of Black Hawks and MPAC Mk IV
(5) May 17, 2020: Renamed Frigates to Jose Rizal class Frigates; Changed MPAC designation to Mk III; Added ATMOS, C295, AH-1 and BRP Yap
(6) August 30, 2020: Added G280, Hermes Drones and Air Surveillance Radars
(6) August 30, 2020: Added G280, Hermes Drones and Air Surveillance Radars
(7) May 3, 2021: Removed items that were donated to the Philippines at no cost, will put up a separate Blog for that
(8) May 4, 2021: Added the SpyDer, ATGL-L2, Shaldag Mk V and Del Pilar class Upgrades; Updated info on some Items
(9) June 10, 2021: Added the Ural Truck Troop Carriers and C-130 Aircraft; Updated info on some Items
(10) July 26, 2024: Added the Sabrah Light Tanks and T129 Helicopters
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Let me just add that the lease price for the aircraft is annual. That is an extremely generous deal by the Japanese.
ReplyDeleteThanks, will try to add that in on my next revision, which may take awhile, though. But of course it would be great if the "buys" start coming in sooner.
ReplyDeleteSir ano na po ngyari sa Pohang Class?? Sayang din un pwede ng pagTrainingan ng Navy naten if Korean class ship dn ung Bago nateng Bibilhin. NakapagBayad na po ba sa mga Pohang Class??
ReplyDeleteAla pang opisyal na balita, pero mukhang tuloy na iyon kasi si Admiral Taccad na ang nagsabi sa media na tuloy daw. Antayin na lang ang mga opisyal na pahayag.
ReplyDeleteDuterte did promise to give all the AFP personnel a Glock 30 by September 2016, but that hasn't materialized yet. Nevertheless, I expect his own procurement to start coming by next year.
ReplyDeleteAny news on shaldag and the helicopter deal from Russia?
ReplyDeleteNone. The year is ending, so development on those will probably come out next year.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think the US will block the Frigate sale. The Philippines should have gone to Russia for a frigate.
ReplyDeleteThe contract has already been signed. Any move by either party to stop it will leave that party vulnerable to a lawsuit. If the US wanted to block it, they would have done so BEFORE the contract was signed.
ReplyDeleteThe US can still block the sale of the Frigate. The Incheon class frigate has US made parts and US made weapons systems. The US can veto or block the sale of US made gear on the frigate. Forcing the Philippines to look elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd which parts are from the US? Even if they do that, the parts can simply be changed to a non-US alternative.
ReplyDeleteThe Incheon class frigate has US made gear such as the General Electric LM2500, Phalanx CIWS, 5"/54 caliber Mark 45 gun and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. So the US can block the sale of the Incheon that involves any US made gear.
ReplyDeleteWe are not getting the Incheon class Frigate, Nicky, only a VARIANT of it. And no, it won't have the LM2500 Turbines since our ship will be CODAD. All the other equipment you mentioned will not be used on the ship since we will be using different, non-US made weapons.
ReplyDeleteThen again the US can still block the sale and put pressure on EU and Israel not to sell to the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteThat's possible, but not a sure thing for the Americans. Besides, if they do so, it will only drive Duterte to go more with the Russians.
ReplyDeleteLook at what happened recently. The US banned the Philippines in buying guns from the US.
ReplyDeleteSure, that will only give Duterte more reason to start introducing the AK platform in our country. The AK is available in 5.56 mm caliber, but who knows, they might go for an even drastic change in moving to the 7.62 x 39 mm caliber as well.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that Russian Military gear comes without strings or conditions
ReplyDeleteindonesia and malaysia have been buying russian arms. and they were able to integrate it with their american weapons. i think its time we should follow the same.
ReplyDeleteI am generally okay with getting Russian weapons, but we need to understand also their strengths and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of strengths, the Russians make some of the best missiles in the world. Their S-300/400 have no western equivalent in terms of range as far as land-based Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) are concerned; They have supersonic Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs) in service while the west has none.
Their main weakness are their Turbine engines, they are not as durable as western counterparts. The AL-31 engines of the SU-30, for example, only has a Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of only 1,500 hours while the F414 engine of the Super Hornet has a TBO of 6,000 hours, or four times more than the AL-31.
Russian aircraft are much cheaper, though. Imagine getting an SU-30 whose performance is about the same as an F-15 for only USD 25 million each like Venezuela did. But the trade off is the more frequent and costly maintenance.
Western and Russian Datalink are also not compatible, so if we choose to operate both, then we will be giving up some of our Datalink capability, some equipment won't be able to "talk" to each other.
i think US concern about only on ANTI drag CAMPAIGN of Pres. DUterte, thats why they stop the selling of their rifles. FRIGATES and other whatsoever Military hardware may not affected because their role is not for ANTI Drags.
ReplyDeleteI hope that is really the case.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, a lot of us here underestimating the commitment of the administration to modernize the AFP (me included) because of the president's unpredictability, left-leaning and anti US stance.
ReplyDeleteBut I believe he'll prove us wrong. He has been very vocal on adding more modern helicopters and fast attack crafts. And I expect just that.
I also believe that shore-based missile defence system will be a reality in this administration.
RHK, 2 large high-endurance coast guard vessels are to be acquired from Japan. Will it or any other PCG major asset acquisition ever count here?
No, Coast Guard is civilian, so I won't be including them in this list.
ReplyDeleteAs for the AFP Modernization, Duterte did allocate P25 Billion in the 2017 National Budget, so the AFP will start buying things next year. But I think the priority will be for ISO first.
Actually, if Duterte will allocate P25 Billion for the modernization of the next six years, we will be in pretty good shape. But there is no assurance of that, it's a year to year thing. 2017 is okay, so let's wait for the coming years.
Sorry for interrupting, but from the looks of it Horizon 2 is pretty much loaded for all branches of AFP. If we stick for 25B php/year would that be enough?
ReplyDeleteAlso our buying power is decreasing for some reason. It is worth considering if Digong "finished" his fight on Philippines internal problems in a year or two what is his next plan for the people.
Not sure of the cost estimate for all AFP equipment scheduled for H2, but my guess is that it won't. But it will buy most of the items on H2 since P150 Billion (6 x P25 Billion) is still a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, PNoy spent "only" P58 Billion for the AFP Modernization in his six years in office, and P150 Billion is more than twice of that already.
They should go back and develop a self reliant program like Israel,India and Brazil Filipino scientists are talented.
ReplyDeleteAwesome work sir,
ReplyDeleteHow about the US donations like the Cessna 208Bs ISR aircraft, Tethered Aerostat Radar System and procurement of Sidewinder missiles. Chinese donations like ARs, Snipers and Millions of Ammunition. Russian donations like ARs, magazines, helmets and trucks.
Thanks.
The Cessna 208, TARS and Sidewinders are far as I know were under the previous Administration.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Chinese and Russian donations, I didn't include them here since not much details were released after the donation, like which AFP units got them, and how many each?
I only posts stuff here with complete details. Otherwise, I might as well leave them out.
it is not an anti US stance, it is just to open the foreign relation to others. Funny thing, i was awed of the equipment donated by the US after those rants. and something missing what about those guns purchased in a local manufacturer given to Marines and PSG.
ReplyDeleteDo we have new updates on this blog sir?
ReplyDeleteYes, but the firm Contracts seems to be still a few, like the MPAC Mk IV and the 16 Black Hawk Helicopters. Anyway will try to update it soon.
ReplyDeleteI just updated the blog today (Jun. 21, 2019), but I just added two items for now.
ReplyDeleteyou did not include the c2 aircraft for C-295 aircraft where NOa was given to airbus Oct. 2018. as as well as the aircraft jammer. M113 upgrade all signed during by this admin
ReplyDelete