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01/28/2012
The Department of National Defense (DND) is bent on approving 138 projects to acquire modern military hardware as part of the capability upgrade and modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), amounting to about P70 billion, by July this year.
During the Defense Acquisition System kick off at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said while the task at hand is difficult to achieve, he urged those involved in the acquisition program to give their best to beat the deadline on the completion of the 138 projects.
“Our main responsibility is to ensure the approval and signature of the contracts for all the 138 projects for the AFP modernization and capability upgrade program not later than 31 July 2012,” Gazmin said.
“The common task on hand that we have courageously assumed lies on the brink of proximate impossibility, the factor of time is our adversary. Nevertheless, I am confident that we shall prevail in the pursuit of this objective,” Gazmin added.
Gazmin said worst scenario in completing all the 138 projects would be November.
“By July, if we attain at least 50 percent, that is already a good batting average,” he said.
Among the projects, with an estimated value of P65 billion to P70 billion, are big-ticket items for the Philippine Air Force and the Navy, apparently to boost the military’s capability on territorial defense and at the same time continuously address internal security operations.
Of the 138 projects, 22 are intended for the Air Force which includes the acquisition of multipurpose attack helicopters, four of which are scheduled to arrive within months, and jet fighters. On the other hand, the Navy is set to have its second Hamilton class cutter this year while a third one is still being negotiated. A multi-role vessel is also being considered for the Navy.
Last August, the Navy got its first ever Hamilton class cutter, now named BRP Gregorio del Pilar and deployed in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
The DND is also set to boost the coast watch system with the programed acquisition of radar systems.
“These are the big-ticket items,” Gazmin said.
According to DND Undersecretary for Finance, Munitions, Installations and Materiel Hernando Manalo, the DND has P28 billion on hand.
According to Gazmin, the DND will ask the government for a multi-obligation authority in pursuing the AFP modernization program.
“We’ll see how to fund all of these (projects),” said Gazmin who said the DND is focused more on government-to-government mode of acquisition. He stressed that all acquisitions will still go through the necessary bidding.
In fact, Gazmin, along with other DND and AFP officials, will fly to Italy and Spain this weekend to scout for ships, aircraft and tanks.
Aside from Italy, the DND is also considering offers from the United States, South Korea, France and United Kingdom.
For his part, AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa expressed elation over the programed modernization of the 125,000-strong organization which has been lagging behind other militaries in the Asian region in terms of capability.
“The AFP is more than happy and optimistic of this vision to be at par with our neighboring countries in terms of capability and effectiveness, this is also timely and welcome development as we are now focusing our efforts on addressing regional security concerns with our neighbors,” Dellosa said.
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