Thursday, November 3, 2016

Weapons suppliers must meet field requirements before acquisition -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 3): Weapons suppliers must meet field requirements before acquisition -- AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said weapons and equipment suppliers are more than welcome to supply its needs provided they can comply with the stringent field requirements set by the military.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo when asked whether other dealers or manufacturers can be tapped to meet the weaponry and other logistical needs of the military.

But before this can go full stream, technical working groups (TWGs) must first coordinate with the manufacturers to determine whether the products they are selling are up to Philippine tropical conditions, can be acquired economically in significant numbers and has sufficient stocks of spares and maintenance in the market.

Arevalo said that only when these requirements are met can the TWGs recommend a particular weaponry or equipment for possible acquisition.

Earlier, Arevalo said US supplies of weapons and other defense equipment will continue pending the abrogation of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

He made this comment after being asked on whether the alleged US order halting the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police (PNP) will have repercussions on the Filipino military.

"The alleged US decision to halt sales of 26,000 assault rifles to the PNP will not have an effect on the AFP as our weapons and equipment are sourced through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) which is guarantee under the MDT," Arevalo said in Filipino.

And through FMS, weapons or equipment to be acquired, will not need to pass US Congress approval unlike contracts completed using American suppliers or manufacturers.

Sole approval on FMS lies on the US government, the AFP official said.

And until the 1951 MDT is abrogated, the AFP can source its equipment needs through FMS, Arevalo added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=936851

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