Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Missile-armed MPACs now on the way

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 26): Missile-armed MPACs now on the way

The Department of National Defense (DND) is allocating P270 million to acquire three MPACs (multi-purpose attack craft) to boost the capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN).

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the sum includes "mission essential equipment and an initial logistic support packages."

The money will be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund of 2000.

He added that interested bidders should also equipped these MPACs with provisions for advanced weapons system (remote weapon systems and missile launch system).

Mission essential equipment includes day/night electronic navigation systems, communication suites, safety-of-life-at-sea, propulsion system and seamanship and ship-handling gears.

Pre-bid conference will be held on Feb. 28 at the DND bidding and awards committee in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Winning bidders must be able to deliver the MPACs within 540 working days of the opening of the letter of credit.

Interested parties must have experience on a similar project within the last 10 years.

Bidders must be the suppliers themselves, Manalo added.

The PN currently operates a force of six MPACs.

Three of the PN's MPACs are sourced from Taiwan while the remaining three were ordered from Filipino shipbuilder Propmech Corporation, which is based in Subic Bay, Zambales.

These ships are 16.5 meters long, 4.76 meters wide and has a draft of one meter and a top speed of 45 knots.

Each ship costs around P90 million and has a range of 300 nautical miles. The hull is made of high-quality aluminum and is crewed by one officer and four enlisted personnel.

It is also capable of carrying 16 fully-equipped troopers or two tons of cargo.

The MPAC is capable of operating in territorial waters up to "Sea State 3" (slight waves) without any system degradation.

It is armed with one .50 caliber and two 7.62mm machine guns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=620062

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