DND bids out P5.4-B ASW helicopter project

From the Philippine News Agency (May 7): DND bids out P5.4-B ASW helicopter project

To increase the capabilities of the Philippine Navy (PN), the Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it is allocating P5.4 billion for the acquisition of two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters.

The money will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Fund.

Acquisition of the two ASW helicopters are under the Medium Term Development Capability Plan for 2013 to 2017.

DND undersecretary Natalio C. Ecarma, Bidding and Awards Committee chair, said the contract includes munition, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistic support.

He added that the aircraft must be delivered within 730 calendar days.

Pre-bid conference is slated this May 20 at the DND Bidding and Awards Committee conference room, basement right wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

First stage will be at June 3 and with second stage bidding to be announced later.

The PN earlier announced that it is looking at the possibility of acquiring the AW-159 "Wildcat" as its ASW helicopters.

The Navy is in the market for two ASW helicopters.

This is part of the country's Medium Term Defense Acquisition List for the next four years.

The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).

The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

It has a crew of two, has a maximum speed of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel)

The AW-159 is fitted with forward firing CRV7 rockets and machine guns, pintle mounted machine gun, Sea Skua missiles and Sting-Ray torpedoes and depth charges.

The acquisition process for these ASW helicopters is expected to go on full gear once the PN completes its five AW-109 order deal from AgustaWestland by the third quarter of 2014.

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