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neess n ss A broader look att today’s busin business Saturday, March 2,, 2024 Vol. 19 No. 139
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THE FLIGHT BACK TO SUPERSONIC ERA Defense contractors show keen interest to supply PHL with modern fighter planes SAAB JAS-39C/D “Gripen” and Lockheed Martin F-16V “Viper” AHMAD ZAKI ALAWI & JOZSEF SOOS | DREAMSTIME.COM
By Rex Anthony Naval
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S the Philippines labors to build up its defenses to better protect its vast and rich territorial waters, weapons manufacturers from all over the world are making their presence felt and have expressed their keen interest to cater to the country’s military requirements. One such program awaiting successful conclusion is the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) multirole fighter (MRF) project, which is worth around P61 billion and calls for the delivery of at least 12 advanced jet fighters to the military. It is described as the “game changer” of all the Revised Armed Forces Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) acquisition projects because the MRFs, once successfully acquired, will provide the PAF with the means to protect the country’s vast airspace against hostile air threats. As of this writing, there are no clear winners yet for the project, although defense manufacturers, the US’s Lockheed Martin and Swedish Saab have expressed their intention to participate in this project. Lockheed Martin is offering its F-16V “Viper” and other variants of the aircraft, while Saab is
trying to sell its JAS-39C/D “Gripen” models. However, despite protracted interest from the two nations, the PAF and the Department of National Defense (DND) have still to make any concrete pronouncements about the project’s progress.
General specifications THE Swedish-made Gripen is a light single-engine MRF capable of speeds up to Mach 2.0. It is armed with a 20mm automatic cannon and can carry an assortment of rockets, bombs, missiles and surveillance equipment. Meanwhile, the American F-16 Viper also has a top speed of Mach 2.0, is equipped with a 20mm cannon and can be loaded with a variety of the latest rockets, bombs and missiles. Initially, the MRF project was part of the Horizon 2 of the RAFMP, which was scheduled for 2018 to 2022 and geared for exter-
nal defense. Any aircraft that will be selected must be able to integrate with existing radar systems that have a range of around 250 nautical miles. These proposed MRFs are expected to augment the existing fleet of 12 South Korean-made Mach 1.5-capable FA-50PH jet aircraft acquired from 2015 to 2017. The FA-50PH is the first supersonic aircraft of the PAF after the decommissioning of its Northrop F-5 “Tiger” jet fighters in 2005, more than 40 years after their acquisition in 1965.
No clear winning proponent for now HOWEVER, sources familiar with the program said defense officials are making sure that the MRF to be selected will be sustainable and operable in the long run as to allow the Philippines to deploy jet fighters to its exclusive economic zone to ward off intruders. This indicates that planners expect the manufacturer of the prospective MRF to promptly provide parts and technicians to the country in case of technical issues that could potentially ground or impede the aircraft from flying. They also aim for the prospective MRF to have the capability to carry or integrate existing weapons and armament used by the PAF, eliminating the necessity for a costly integration process. Planners also seek the capability for the chosen MRF manufacturer to promptly provide re-
placement aircraft in the event of damage or destruction due to accidents or combat, if deployed. This means that the manufacturer of the winning MRF design must have an existing production line to allow the continuous flow of parts. The Philippine Air Force’s requirements for its MRF project specify that the offered aircraft must be “fourth generation or higher,” with proponents capable of delivering 12 units or more for P61 billion. The selected MRF must also be capable of patrolling the country’s vast waters and airspace and capable of integration with existing radar systems that have a range of around 250 nautical miles.
Some clarifications AS this developed, the DND on February 19 issued a clarification stating that to date, no agreement or deal has been reached regarding the MRF project, contrary to “certain news articles and posts circulating online.” “As such, the procurement of the MRF is still open and ongoing,” it added. The DND also emphasized that the February 16 news statement where it said that the Philippines and Sweden are working on the implementing arrangement (IA) on defense materiel procurement was apparently misunderstood and interpreted by some (not the BusinessMirror) media outlets to mean that the MRF has been finalized in favor of Saab.
“The IA is a document regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding and establishes commitment to develop long-term cooperation in the field of defense procurement,” it added.
Logistics agreement THE IA is for Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment (PDME) with Sweden and the latest meeting to finalize took place last January 17. “The IA-PDME is expected to be concluded and signed as one of the major outputs of the forthcoming inaugural Philippines-Sweden Joint Committee Meeting to be held in March 2024 in Sweden,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said. He added that this logistics cooperation is part of the commitment of the two countries under the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel signed by the two countries on June 3, 2023, and ratified on September 4 of the same year. “The Philippine side, consisting of representatives from the DND, Department of Finance, and Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Sweden side led by Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Annika Thunborg, are working on the finalization of the IA-PDME,” Andolong pointed out. As of this time, he said that the DND is undertaking the necessary procedures for the conclusion
of international executive agreements. Once signed, the IA-PDME will allow Sweden, through Saab, to formally participate in the PAF’s MRF project and offer the Gripen against the F-16 Viper in the bidding process.
India also interested AS this developed, the Indian government on February 15 brought a delegation to the country to highlight the advances it made on its military technology and equipment that might be acquired in the RAFMP. The event, sponsored by the Indian Embassy, presented to DND officials and other stakeholders aircraft, drones, helicopters, along with artificial intelligence technologies. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran said buying defense equipment from India is a good option as its prices are competitive compared to others. Among the companies present were DCM Shriram Industries Ltd, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring FZ LLC, MKU Limited, and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited. Kumaran expressed hope that India could be part of the ongoing RAFPMP, considering that the Philippines had earlier acquired its BrahMos cruise missile system from them. Continued on A2
PHL SETS NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR ‘MOST VARIETY OF PORK DISHES ON DISPLAY’
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HE Philippines has set a new mark in the Guinness World Records after the National Federation of Hog Farmers won the recognition for the “Most Variety of Pork Dishes on Display” at their Hog Festival 2024 in Quezon City on Friday. According to Guinness official adjudicator Sonia Ushirogochi, 340 pork dishes were submitted by the organizers for adjudication, but only 313 dishes were approved in the final count. Still, according to Ushirogochi, it set a new record for Guinness. The minimum number of dishes SEN. Cynthia Villar and QC Mayor Joy using pork as main ingredient had been set at 300. Belmonte enjoy recipes from the “I’m happy to be here in the Philippines to participating booths at the Hog Festival at adjudicate the official Guinness world attempt for most Gateway Mall, Araneta Center. BERNARD TESTA variety of pork dishes on display. The dishes must follow the following criteria: meat used must be pork, must have at least 3 kg contained in each dish and each dish must be unique. I wish you all the best,” said Ushirogochi earlier. Most of the presented dishes come from favorite Filipino fare like lechon and pork barbecue, but regional dishes and international cuisine were also presented.
HOG Festival organizers led by the National Federation of Hog Farmers Chairman Chester Tan (clapping at right, in brown jacket) and Vice Chairman Alfred Ng receive the Guinness World Records certificate from Guinness official adjudicator Sonia Ushirogochi at rites capping the festival at the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Quezon City. Cheering them on are Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and SINAG Chairman Rosendo So. BERNARD TESTA
PESO EXCHANGE RATES Q US 56.1740 Q JAPAN 0.3746 Q UK 70.9309 Q HK 7.1753 Q CHINA 7.8152 Q SINGAPORE 41.7464 Q AUSTRALIA 36.4850 Q EU 60.7072 Q KOREA 0.0421 Q SAUDI ARABIA 14.9789 Source: BSP (March 1, 2024)