MANILA, Philippines – The Department of
National Defense is in need of a total of P24.7 billion to fund their 12 projects to enhance the military’s
capabilities. These projects shall include the lead-in fighter trainer jets
ammunition, long-range patrol aircraft, multi-purpose attack craft, rocket
launchers and base upgrades.
Out of
12 projects, four will go to the
Air Force: six units of close air support aircraft (P4.968 billion), two units
of long-range patrol aircraft (P5.976 million) and basing support systems in
three provinces (P187.43 million). The purchase of munitions for the 12 FA-50
lead-in fighter trainer jets that were acquired from South Korea amounting P4.52 billion is also in the list.
The Philippine Navy will have three projects
that consist of two units of helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare
(P5.402 billion), three units of multi-purpose attack craft (P1.18 billion) and
support and logistics for naval bases (P313.62 million).
Four of the projects are aimed to improve the Army’s capabilities: 4,464
units of night fighting systems (P1.116 billion), 744 units of rocket launchers
(P407.41 million), 1,446 units of 2-5W handheld radios (P430.8 million) and 60
units of high frequency 50W radios (P144 million).
Separately, the DND also needs P133.4 million to buy 46 units
of light utility vehicles for the Armed Forces of the Philippines general
headquarters.
The military officials assumed that the modernization projects will strengthen the
military’s territorial defense and internal security abilities. As previously
programmed, the DND needs P20 billion for the year 2014 however, only P10 billion was included in
the (General Appropriations Act).
In 2012, President Aquino signed a law sharing
a total of P75 billion worth of funds to spend for the first five years of the
military’s modernization program. So far, the administration has accomplished
37 military upgrade projects worth P9.2 billion.
Fourteen
projects worth P6.2 billion are
scheduled for completion before the year ends. These include the delivery of assault rifles for the Army
and Marines, additional UH-1H helicopters for the Air Force, close combat
optics and explosive ordnance disposal equipment while. Another ten projects worth P17.3 billion are
scheduled for delivery in 2015, including Army armored vehicles, attack
helicopters, combat utility helicopters, light lift and medium lift aircraft
and naval helicopters.
