Philippine Air Force Discussions and Updates

Ananda

The Bunker Group

This MoU did not shown what defense articles they refer to. However considerimg the nature of negotiation progressing, big potential this open the road for Gripen C/D. For one thing, if PAF choose Gripen, PAF doing better job then TNI-AU or RMAF on logistics foot prints.

At least by choosing Gripen, it is commonality on engines (whichs big part on any aircraft fleet maintenance), is being adress well.


Max defense seems indicating SAAB going to offer 14 Gripen C/D for the budget that Philippines MinDef prepares.
 
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koxinga

Well-Known Member
LRPA is the designation used for the Philippines Airforce's maritime patrol aircraft program. The program is long overdue. Notable, the mission suite does not seem to have an ASW module.

This had been one of the key challenges; Airbus at one point with the C-295 was able to only offer one plane with ASW and one plane without, leading to the disqualification.

Equally interesting, Malaysia seems to be leaning towards the ATR-72 as their MPA platform but with the Leonardo suite.


10.07.2023
Elbit Systems Awarded $114 Million Contract with Asian-Pacific Country for Long-Range Patrol Aircraft
Haifa, Israel, July 10, 2023 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT)
Elbit Systems announced today that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $114 million with an Asian-Pacific country to supply two long-range patrol aircraft (LRPA) equipped with an advanced and comprehensive mission suite. The contract will be carried out over a period of five years.

The two LRPA aircraft will be based on new ATR 72-600 and Elbit Systems will integrate in each aircraft a mission suite that includes a Mission Management System, Electro-Optics, Radar, SIGINT, Communication and more.

Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace: “Elbit Systems has been supplying Special Mission Aircraft to various countries worldwide for over a decade for defense or governmental operational requirements. This contract extends the range of platforms and solutions we offer our customers, leveraging vast operational experience and in-house technologies and capabilities. We are proud to provide advanced solutions to our customers.”
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Max Montero's sources indicate that beyond the 14 x JAS-39 C/D, an additional 24 x F-16 C/Ds in BLK 40/42 are being discussed with the US as EDA transfers as part of US security assistance.

As the JAS-39 C/Ds have a short delivery time (2024 - 2026), they would be able provide immediate cover, since a program to update those EDA Falcons can easily take 3 -4 years, if we take Indonesia's Peace Bima Sena program for comparision. BLK 42 would be a good base as they have the CCIP upgrades, but if the target is BLK72, it will still take a while.

Nothing official yet, as usual, so take with a pinch of salt.

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Pinoy MinDef seems still trying to find legal way to claim down payment on cancelled Mi-17V deal. Good luck on that, as it is Pinoy side that broke the contract. The contract also being broken not because Russia inability to fulfill the contract, but more Pinoy side 'worries' on not want to implicate potential CAATSA clause on them.

Thus legally it is Pinoy side decisions, and they have to beare the contractual costs. The most likely they can reclaim the costs, by asking US compensation. As the contract being broke due to US regulations. Not going to be easy, but it is more political consideration. With Marcos administration being more US sided then Duterte, I also don't see Russia politically inclined to give away down payment fund, on something that Pinoy broke for the sake of US influence.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
What if the Philippines accept the delivery of the Mi-17s and use them for SAR/fire fighting tasks, instead of putting these Mi-17s into military service?
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
the Philippines accept the delivery of the Mi-17s and use them for SAR/fire fighting tasks, instead of putting these Mi-17s into military service?

It is still can trigger CAATSA as it is transaction with parties that classified by US as part of Russian MIC. Then again the implementation seems depends on countries. Like India and Vietnam due to their overwhelming dependence for Russian MIC, seems got some leeways. However US expects this is only for maintenance of their existing Assets. Indonesia seems potentially going to use that also on part of upgrade jobs for Flankers. Perhaps with quasy contractor-subcontractors arrangement.

Still this means for new assets procurement with Russian MIC seems very much open to CAATSA counteracts provisions. At least that's what my understanding.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

Photo on Philippines AF 5th and 6th ATAK T-129B helicopters. From Efrain Morota FB pages. If not mistaken with this delivery all T-129B helicopters from this batch already delivered.

Quite a drama on export licensing with US before those helicopters being able to send by TAI to Philippines eventually. Eventually this is one situation that push Turkiye on developing their own engine.
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Seems like the last legal hurdle for their JAS39 C/D acquisition would be cleared by March 2024. Financing also seems to have been settled.

Quezon City (February 16, 2024) – The Philippines and Sweden are conducting a series of meetings, the latest of which was held on January 17, 2024, to finalize the Implementing Arrangement (IA) concerning the Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment (IA-PDME). The IA-PDME is expected to be concluded and signed as one of the major outputs of the forthcoming inaugural Philippines-Sweden Joint Committee
Meeting to be held in March 2024 in Sweden.

The logistics cooperation is part of the commitment of the two countries under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel signed by the two countries in June 3, 2023, and ratified on September 4, 2023.

The Philippine side, consisting of representatives from the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Finance, and Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Sweden side led by Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Annika Thunborg, are working on the finalization of the IA-PDME. Currently, the DND is undertaking the necessary procedures for the conclusion of international executive agreements.

Sweden intends to participate in the implementation of projects under Horizon 3 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, specifically in the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
like the last legal hurdle for their JAS39 C/D acquisition would be cleared by March 2024
Despite howling by some Pinoy enthusiasts in their forums for F-16V, Gripen C/D is actualy much suitable choices for Philippines AF. For one thing it is simplifies their engines logistics with FA-50.

I don't find definitive package deals will be yet tough. Some Pinoy talk it is going completely new build C/D, while some other talk 50:50 package with half going to be refurbished Sweden AF C/D, to fasten delivery and better pricing packages. If Marcos administration can manage 4 sq of each 2 Gripen and 2 FA-50 (as Pinoy forum and media speculation), this is already huge step to bring back Philippines AF stength back to relative 70's situation.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
This is the 2nd C-130H acquired under PAF's C-130H with Avionics Upgrade & ILS Acquisition Project under Horizon 2 phase of RAFPMP. This seems to be a formerly AC-130W Stinger II of USAF.
 
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