(Yearender) AFP modernization now on track

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 18): (Yearender) AFP modernization now on track

The year 2012 saw the start of a no-non-sense modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), long considered as military laggard in Southeast Asia. Thanks to the support and funding from the Aquino administration to catch up with Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of internal and external defense capability.

The year 2012 saw the deliveries of new W-3A "Sokol" combat utility helicopters, multi-purpose assault crafts (MPACs), and a refurbished C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft and turnover of another Hamilton-class cutter. But probably the best news for all dedicated military personnel this year was President Benigno Aquino III's signing on Dec. 11 of Republic Act No. 10349, which amended Republic Act No. 7898, or the AFP Modernization Act. The amendment hopes to "boost the AFP's capability upgrade program as it shifts from internal to external defense capability." "This is a very significant and timely development in our efforts to upgrade our capability to be more effective and efficient in the performance of our constitutional mandate," AFP spokesperson Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., said.

Burgos said that the entire military expressed its most sincere gratitude to the present administration in its continuous and unprecedented support to the AFP's modernization and capability upgrade program. "We are optimistic that the law will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the AFP into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of effectively addressing internal and external security threats," Burgos said. With the passage of the law, he said, the AFP would be able to push for the acquisition of equipment listed in the country's medium term (2013-2017) acquisition list. "The implementation of our modernization and capability upgrade program will also provide greater opportunities and enough time for us to finally achieve a minimum credible defense posture, which will help us in better fulfilling our mandate to protect the people and the state," Burgos said.

Republic Act No. 10349 has a budget of P75 billion for the first five years of implementation subject to the capacity of the Department of National Defense (DND) to utilize and implement the program in accordance with the Defense System of Management. The new law exempts certain major defense purchases such as aircraft, vessels, tanks, armored vehicles, communications equipment and high-powered firearms from public bidding. It also exempts from value-added tax and customs duties the sale and importation of weapons, equipment and ammunition to the AFP which are directly and exclusively used for its projects, undertakings, activities and programs. Republic Act 10349 also institutionalizes the defense system of management, which incorporates a collegial and collaborative planning and decision-making process by senior defense and military leaders. It also allows additional funding from public-private partnerships entered into by the DND as well as multi-year contracts. This law will hopefully repair the damage caused by long years of neglect to the military, which during the 1960s up to the 70's was considered to be Southeast Asia's best.

DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations, and materiel Fernando Manalo echoed Burgos' statement and stressed that the signing and passage of the revised AFP Modernization Act would definitely make the military more capable of carrying out its constitutional mandate. "This law will give the AFP a minimal credible deterrent posture," he said. Manaolo also said that new equipment, which included missile-firing frigates, modern fighter aircraft, surveillance radars, anti-submarine helicopters, armored personnel carriers, and artillery pieces, would greatly aid the country in protecting its territories, especially those in the West Philippine Sea. "Having these armaments, will greatly deter would-be bullies in encroaching in our territories," Manalo said. Aside from defense equipment, engineering and search-and-rescue materiel would also be acquired, Manalo pointed out, giving the Philippines more assets in its peace and community development.

Thus, 2012 was a very good year for the military considering the equipment delivered and commissioned this year, which include:  *putting into squadron service of the four W-3A "Sokols" combat utility helicopters (made by Augusta PZL Swidnik of Italy and Poland) last March 9;  *commissioning of a MPAC last May 22.  *delivery and testing of two more MPACs last August;  *turnover to the Philippine Navy (PN) of another Hamilton-class cutter (the BRP Ramon Alcaraz) to its prospective crew in North Charleston, South Carolina last May 23. The ship is still there undergoing refurbishment and is expected to be in service by the first quarter of 2013;  *commissioning of the refurbished C-130 "Harcules" cargo plane which took place last Oct. 17. The aircraft was in the US for its periodic depot maintenance; and  *turnover of two more W-3A "Sokol" helicopters last Nov. 26.  Since 2013 is just a few weeks away, the AFP expects the coming year to be another banner one with the deliveries of additional equipment, which include two more W-3A "Sokols" and another C-130 cargo carrier by the first quarter, putting into fleet service the vastly-improved BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which has more state-of-the-art armament and sensors that its sister, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar. To top it off, the Philippine Nave plans to acquire three more MPACs by 2013. Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesperson, said that these were already in the program and in Stage 1 of the acquisition process. Stage 1 refers to acquisition planning and requirement definition. While Stage 2 determines the possible proponent of the project. Stage 3 and 4 refers to the actual costing and possible delivery date of the project.

Another defense item, whose acquisition is being monitored by military and civilian naval hobbyists, is the ongoing negotiation for two of Italy's "Maestrale" missile-firing frigates. DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said that the negotiation was now nearing its completion. "From what I heard, the talks are now centering on the final costing of the ships and what kind of weapons will be fitted," he said. Galvez also expressed hope that the deal for ships will be completed early next year so that the PN can field combat vessels with a so-called "blue-water" capability. The latter refers to the capacity to patrol long stretches of maritime territory and protect it from poachers and other intruders.  Galvez considered "Maestrale" as ideal for this role with its good range, speed, and advanced weaponry. DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last August confirmed that the country would acquire the "Maestrale" from the Italian Navy by next year. He said the two ships were expected to arrive at the country in November 2013. The DND chief said both ships would cost around P11.7 billion. The "Maestrale" class is an eight-ship fleet currently being operated by the Italian Navy. It is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare and first commissioned in 1982. However the vessels are highly flexible so they are also capable of anti-air and anti-surface operations. It has a displacement of 3,300 gross register tons and a speed of 33 knots. The ship is armed with anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, long range guns and automatic weapons, making it ideal to protect the country's maritime borders against poachers, pirates and foreign aggressors.

The AFP also proposed to acquire two anti-submarine helicopters, 10 attack helicopters and 12 fighter jets for the Air Force, and Army's 100 armored personnel carrier and 20 long-range cannons next year.

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