June 2, 2025: BRP Rajah Sulayman OPV to be launched in June 2025, delivered in March 2026, and South Korean Offers for the AFP Modernization
Just some Updates on the Modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based on the Interviews of the "Inquirer" of South Korean Arms Manufacturers at the recent "International Maritime Defense Exhibition (MADEX) 2025" in South Korea:
* The first of six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) being built by "HD Hyundai Company Limited" will be called the "BRP Rajah Sulayman" and will be launched later this Month of June 11, 2025. It is targeted for Delivery in March of next Year of 2026.
* HD Hyundai also said that they are competing on the upcoming Frigate acquisition of the Philippine Navy (PN) which will be similar to the Malvar-class Frigates and will have a Budget of Php 34 billion.
* South Korean Defense Manufacturers are offering the following Military Equipment and Weapons to the AFP:
- Raybolt Anti-Tank Guided Missile
- Chiron Short-range Air Defense System
- Mid-range Surface to Air Missile Block II (M-SAM II)
- Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided Bombs
- K-9 Thunder Self Propelled Howitzer
- K239 Chunmoo Rocket Artillery System
You can read the Article itself at the Inquirer Website here: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/279009/south-korea-eyes-expanded-arms-deals-with-ph
MY THOUGHTS:
The K-9 and M-SAM II could replace the Assets that we bought from Israel like the Autonomous Truck Mounted-howitzer System (ATMOS) and Surface-to-air Python and Derby (SPYDER) Systems, but the K-9 is heavier than the ATMOS while the M-SAM II seems to have a slightly lower range than the SPYDER.
The K239 though could be competing directly with the United States (US) made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and since the Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) Administration likes the US so much then good luck with them on that.
May 28, 2025: Philippines still looking for Ways to finance F-16s, but Mobile, Land-based Missile Systems are being Prioritized
The Philippines' Ambassador to the United States (US), Jose Manuel Romualdez said that the Philippine Government is still looking for a way to finance the acquisition of F-16C Fighting Falcon Fighter Aircraft, but are prioritizing Land Based Weapons that are more affordable.
Quoting Romualdez himself: "We're really looking at other Items that are, in View of our National Defense Strategy, more important than the F-16s. The F-16 will continue to be Part of the Overall Plan, perhaps, in the Future. But as of now, as I said, our Priority is more on Land-based Type of Defense Capabilities."
“As I said the F-16, it's an Aspiration that we've had for many, many Years. There are other Offers from other Countries like the Gripen, which is actually made in Sweden. But there’s a Question of Affordability.”
You can access the Article itself at the Website of the “GMA News” News Publication here: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/947619/ambassador-babe-romualdez-f-16-on-philippines-wishlist-land-based-weapons-a-priority/story/
MY THOUGHTS:
Well it is good to see our Government sometimes show some Common Sense, I for one fully support the acquisition of Mobile, Land-based Surface to Air and other Missile Systems first, and I think the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will greatly benefit from it.
Because for one, no Aircraft or Vessel need to be risked along with their Crews to defend against Aircraft, or to attack Naval Vessels or Land Targets. Another is that Mobile Land Missiles are a lot more survivable, they are not tied to vulnerable Runways like Aircraft, for Example, and are difficult to find.
They are also a lot more affordable. F-16s and other Fighter Aircraft are a lot more Glamorous, but Mobile Land Missile Systems are more Practical and Affordable. The only Issue I see here is that with this Government’s insistence of tying Political Strings to Military Purchases as I had discussed before, then we may end up buying more expensive Military Assets from the US, Europe and Japan.
It is likely that Israeli Assets are now out for the rest of this Administration. Not sure if other Defense Exporting Countries like Turkey will support our Claimed Territories in the South China Sea (SCS) also. I think we will likely buy more from the US, what with the current US President Donald Trump keep demanding other Countries to buy more from them.
The US-made Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are likely high on the Philippines’ List, those have been discussed extensively for some time now.
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