DND wants two anti-sub choppers

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 20): DND wants two anti-sub choppers

The Department of National Defense (DND) is eyeing two brand new anti-submarine helicopters, worth P5 billion, as part of the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo, undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, said the planned acquisition of two brand new anti-submarine helicopters will complement the missile-firing frigates also being sought by the AFP. “That (acquisition of anti-sub helicopters) is included in our program for modernization that will be implemented for the first five years,” said Manalo. Manalo said that each of the helicopter costs P2.5 billion.According to Manalo, the acquisition of two anti-submarine helicopters is among the big ticket items of the Philippine Navy, which is also eyeing two “Maestrale” frigates from Italy to boost its aging fleet. However, Manalo stressed that the acquisition depends on the approval of the AFP modernization law. “If we don’t have the modernization law, we won’t have the budget,” said Manalo. Under the proposed modernization law, the AFP will receive P75-billion fund in the next five years to finance its capability upgrade and modernization program. While awaiting approval of the law, Manalo said, the DND can conduct evaluation of military hardware up for approval. If acquired, Manalo said, the two anti-submarine helicopters would be detailed by the Navy to the two Maestrale frigates to be bought from Italy. Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the DND has submitted its counter-proposal for the acquisition of missile-firing frigates. He, however, stressed that nothing was final as yet. “We are looking at that very seriously,” Gazmin said of the planned acquisition of frigates. He said the frigates will provide the country the capability to defend itself “so that we will not be pushed around.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/7103-dnd-wants-two-anti-sub-choppers