PAF allots P60-M for FA-50PH parts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 9): PAF allots P60-M for FA-50PH parts

The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through its Bids and Awards Committee, is now looking for PHP60 million worth of spare parts and other components needed for the maintenance of its two FA-50PH light-lift fighter trainers with tail numbers 001 and 002.

Pre-bid conference is slated for Friday, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, the bid bulletin from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System said.

While opening and submission of bids on July 26, 9 a.m. at the same venue.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the same bid bulletin.

The FA-50PHs were first used in the Marawi City campaign where it was heavily used for close-air support mission roles along with the venerable OV-10 "Bronco" turbo-prop attack aircraft, SF-260 light bombers and various attack helicopters of the PAF.

The FA-50PHs has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one and a half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.

Twelve aircraft were acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries for PHP18. 9 billion. Deliveries commenced in November 2015 and were completed in May 2017.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1040817