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Saab’s Gripen positioned for Philippines fighter requirementQuoteSwedish defence group Saab is advancing its engagement with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of efforts to meet the service’s stated requirement to procure a multirole combat aircraft over the coming few years.
The planned acquisition – known in the Philippines as the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) programme – has not yet been formalised through the issue of a request for information (RFI), but Saab has already strongly positioned its Gripen platform to meet the requirement when it goes to tender.
Recent reports from the Philippines that President Rodrigo Duterte has now approved the MRF acquisition in principle suggest that the programme may move ahead soon in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ‘second horizon’ modernisation programme, which runs 2018–23.
Funding for second horizon, which includes the MRF as one of its key acquisition projects, has been set at PHP289 billion (USD5.46 billion).
Commenting on the reported progress in the MRF programme, a Saab spokesperson told Jane’s on 11 June, “It’s a positive development for us in the Philippines, and we are encouraged by the momentum that is now building around the MRF programme.”
The spokesperson added that Saab has been in dialogue with the PAF and AFP about military requirements in the country for several years and that it has held detailed talks with the former about the MRF requirement.
“We have had detailed discussions with the PAF’s technical working group that has been studying the options for the Philippines, and Saab is fully committed to supporting whatever acquisition path [the Philippines] moves forward along.”
According to reports, the MRF programme is likely to progress as a requirement for two squadrons acquired over two batches, although the total number of aircraft that will be procured and the value of finances set aside for the procurement have not yet been confirmed by the Philippine government.
source:
http://www.janes.com/article/80943/saab-s-gripen-positioned-for-philippines-fighter-requirement
IMHO, this article is a stretch considering the current relationship between the current admin & the rest of EU nation.
Thyssenkrupp, a leading global industrial engineering company based in Germany, has expressed strong interest to participate in the country’s defense modernization program, particularly on military shipbuilding.
Heinrich Hiesinger, chairman of the executive board, said that being one of companies that is now focusing on defense side for military have expressed this interest to the government but said they are just on a standby for government decision.
“You know it’s your government’s choice, we as a company we have decided to focus very much on the defense side because commercial side in recent years has become so competitive that it’s primarily China and Korea,” he said.
By far, Hiesinger said, thyssenkrupp is number one globally in conventional submarines. They have expertise in frigates and submarines.
“We have very strong offering on defense side and if your government wants to grow that then definitely we are very interested to participate because partnership is even longer,” he said.
He explained that if ever they will be given the chance to participate in this project, the German firm will build it locally because it is a taxpayers’ money that government will be using and as such there should also be jobs that must be generated locally.
This means that if they receive an order for shipbuilding for defense, they will find a local shipyard for the construction of the military vessel.
He reiterated though that it is up to government to make decision because that would need a state budget.
“This is a sensitive topic. We never push because it is up for the government to make a decision. So we will just wait and if government makes a decision, we are standing aside because it belongs to sovereign decision of the state and country. If we are called, we very much respect the sovereign decision of the nation and country,” he stressed.
Hiesinger added that he is a very optimistic person and the main reason of his visit, aside from the opening of its regional hub in BGC, was to assess the state of opportunities in the country.
“The reason I did come is you know large organizations have tendency to underestimate opportunities,” he said noting that he once headed an organization here in another company and experienced how difficult to convince global CEOs of opportunities in booming markets like the Philippines.
“You cannot explain countries but need to visit countries, not just theory. To grab a bit of flavor you have to come,” he said. On this visit, he discovered that the business he saw several years ago has now turned into a big one.
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to decide next week whether or not to extend martial law in Mindanao, a Palace official said Saturday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte would submit his decision to the Congress before the chamber goes on Christmas break on the Dec. 15.
“Inaantay pa rin po natin ang rekomendasyon ng Hukbong Sandatahan (We are still awaiting the recommendation of the Armed Forces) and because the national media is here, I have had prior consultations with the Armed Forces (and) the recommendations (will be out)
next week,” Roque said in a press briefing in Zamboanga City.
“So the President will make a decision if not next week then the week after because Congress will go on recess on the 15th and as you know, we cannot have extension (of) martial law without (the) consent of Congress,” Roque said.
The spokesperson said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has finished its consultation with stakeholders and would just need to submit its recommendation to the President.
“I didn’t want to say it now because mape-preempt yung aking (it would preempt my) press briefing sa Lunes (on Monday). And I’m going to read verbatim already what was given to me by the AFP. Mayroon na pong binigay sa aking statement, Monday ko na po babasahin yan (I have received the statement and I would read it on Monday),” he said.
While no final decision has yet been made, Roque said that the resolution would ensure the safety of the citizens in Marawi City and nearby areas.
Task Force Bangon Marawi chief Eduardo del Rosario on Friday backed the extension of martial law up until the rehabilitation phase of the war-torn Marawi City to ensure the continuous reconstruction of the city, following reports of massive recruitment of Islamic State-inspired terror groups. /jpv
And it is finally signed.
http://www.janes.com/article/76067/embraer-secures-super-tucano-contract-from-the-philippinesQuote
Jon Grevatt - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
30 November 2017
The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has signed a contract with Embraer to procure the EMB 314 Super Tucano turboprop trainer/light attack aircraft, officials told Jane’s on 30 November.
The acquisition, which has a value of PHP4.96 billion (USD99 million), features six platforms and meets a requirement in the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for a close-air support (CAS) aircraft to support counter-insurgency operations.
Under the terms of the contract, which also includes a logistics programme through which the Super Tucanos will be supported in the Philippines, the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the PAF at the end of 2019.
MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) has selected Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Defense and Security as the supplier of its six brand-new close air support aircraft (CASA) which has a contract of PHP4,968,000,000.
This was confirmed by DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong who said the company will be supplying its turboprop A-29 "Super Tucano" light attack aircraft.
He added that the notice to proceed has been issued sometime this week.
"Yes. A Notice to Proceed for the supply and delivery of six close air support aircraft has been transmitted to and received by Embraer Defense and Security," Andolong said when sought for confirmation on whether the contract was indeed bagged by Embraer.
"The aircraft that was selected after a rigorous public bidding process that was participated in by several manufacturers from different countries was the Super Tucano A-29, which is compliant with the stringent technical specifications required by the PAF (Philippine Air Force)," he added.
Andolong said the contract is now being crafted for signing by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
In line with providing resources to reinforce the military, Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday is pushing to allocate an additional P464-million for the construction of the barracks of the armed forces.
Gordon made the proposal during the period for individual amendments to the proposed General Appropriations Act of 2018.
Earlier, the senator underscored the need for additional barracks or housing for the military, saying the lack of quarters in the military camps in the country prompted military personnel to sleep in the offices.
...SNIPPED
