While remaining committed to acquiring fighter jets that will protect the country's aerospace against intruding aircraft, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez admitted that the Philippines is eying the possibility of acquiring air defense missiles to further bolster its capabilities.
"The air defense component is part of the AFP Modernization Program. A lot of countries have expressed their interest to sell us some of their air defense missiles," he added in Filipino.
Galvez also stated that he does not have the names of the specific countries yet.
"But these (air defense missiles) go hand-in-hand with the fighter aircraft (we are acquiring)," the DND spokesperson stressed.
Air defense missiles are needed to repel aircraft attacks or incursions which may break through fighter screens.
It is commonly deployed on sensitive political and military installations.
Earlier, unconfirmed reports claimed that the Philippines is now in the closing stages with the Israel Military Industries regarding the acquisition of the country's first-ever air defense missile system.
The report also added that the system will be set in within the next three months.
In a related development, DND observers stated that ranking defense officials are now talking with representatives of
Around 12 units are expected to serve as the interim fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
"The ongoing talks with the South Korean representative is to ensure that the aircraft will be acquired through government-to-government procurement mode. So far, the talks have been progressing well and they are now talking on the unit price (of the F/A-50) and the weapons, navigation, and technical and logistic support that will be provided to the Philippine ordered jet planes," the DND observer pointed out.
The latter declined to comment on how long the talks will last or whether this would lead to a contract signing.
The
The Government Procurement Policy Board earlier gave the DND the "green-light" to start pre-negotiations with the South Korean government for 12 F/A 50 aircraft last January.
The F/A-50 is also known as the TA-50.
Its design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.
KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537185
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