P5B deal for helicopters awaiting Gazmin approval

From Malaya (Nov 20): P5B deal for helicopters awaiting Gazmin approval

A ranking Department of National Defense official yesterday revealed plans to acquire two anti-submarine helicopters, worth about P5 billion, as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces. Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, said the acquisition of the two modern aircraft was recommended by the Navy and is awaiting final decision from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. “That is part of the modernization program that we envision to implement for the next five years,” said Manalo who is helping in the implementation of the Defense Acquisition System that was launched last January. Manalo said they are considering four different types of anti-submarine helicopters but would not elaborate. Sources said the four include AgustaWestland AW-109, a twin-engine, eight-seat multipurpose chopper. “We will deploy them (helicopters) with the frigates that we are trying to also acquire,” the official also said. He was referring to the two Maestrale-class frigates that the department is eyeing to acquire from Italy. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said about a week that the two sides are exchanging offers for the frigates, initially valued at P11.7 billion. Manalo said the fund to be used in the acquisition of the two helicopters will be drawn from the P75 billion that is being asked from Congress to fund the modernization program for the next five years. The P75 billion budget is incorporated in a bill that seeks to extend the military’s modernization law for another 15 years. The old modernization law, passed in 1995, lapsed in December last year. Manalo said the department is working on the planned acquisition, pending the extension of the modernization law. He said such acquisitions would be implemented by way of contract if the bill is signed into law. “We are doing the processing, conducting evaluation even if we have no (law extending the modernization program)…We can do that. What’s important is that we do not sign a contract, without a budget,” he said.

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/18039-p5b-deal-for-helicopters-awaiting-gazmin-approval