Philippines aims to acquire military equipment

From the Business World (Dec 18): Philippines aims to acquire military equipment

THE PHILIPPINES aims to buy two frigates, two helicopters, and three gunboats for deployment in the South China Sea where a territorial dispute with China has lent urgency to the need to bolster forces, a Philippine Navy officer said on Wednesday.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, rejecting claims to parts of it by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The confrontation between the Philippines and China has been particularly tense since June 2012 when China seized a rocky outcrop known as the Scarborough Shoal which is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas as well as fisheries resources.

“The events in the West Philippine Sea actually gave some urgency on the acquisition,” Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad, head of the Philippine Navy’s weapons system, told reporters.

The Philippines has embarked on a 15-year, P90-billion ($2-billion) modernization program to improve its capability to defend its maritime borders.

The procurement list announced on Wednesday will be bought with P39 billion from that budget.

The government aimed to sign contracts early next year for the new warships, Mr. Taccad said on board the Navy’s most powerful warship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a former US coast guard cutter.

China has been reclaiming land in various parts of the Spratly Islands and appear to be constructing airstrips and ports in five reefs to gain full control of them.

The Philippines, a close US ally, has brought an international arbitration case against China, seeking clarification on its entitlements under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China has refused to take part in the arbitration. A ruling is expected late next year.

Vietnam recently submitted its position to the arbitration tribunal, drawing an angry response from China.

South Korea, Spain and France had submitted tenders for two stealth, missile-guided frigates worth P18 billion while Italy and Indonesia are bidding for two anti-submarine warfare helicopters, Mr. Taccad said.

Indonesia won contracts for two strategic sealift vessels and will deliver the first ship in early 2016. Taiwan and five other shipyards are competing for three missile-capable multi-purpose attack craft.

Coastal radars will be supplied by the United States.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=philippines-aims-to-acquire-military-equipment&id=99813