The Department of National Defense on Tuesday said that prospective bidders can now obtain from the Bids and Awards Committee documents for the supply of two patrol aircraft worth P5.9 billion for the use of the Philippine Air Force.
The pre-bid conference for the Long Range Patrol Aircraft Acquisition Project was held on Feb. 16, 2016 and prospective bidders have until March 14, 2016 to buy bid documents worth P50,000.
The budget for the plane acquisition was part of the P75- billion budget approved by President Benigno Aquino to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
PAF chief Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado said the acquisition of the two aircraft would be a big boost to the AFP’s air and maritime patrol particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
PAF has been using the C-130 “Hercules” cargo planes, S211, Nomad, and F27 Fokker for patrol missions
Meanwhile, the DND has awarded the P594.4-million contract to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli firm, for the project to equip the 3 Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts the Philippine Navy bought from shipbuilders Propmech Corp. and Taiwanese company Lung Teh Shipbuilding Corp.
Navy public affairs chief Captain Lued Lincuna declined to give details, saying that the DND has the answer to mediamen’s questions.
A source said the Rafael’s local representative was the same supplier who filed criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against the retiring military chief General Hernando Irriberi over two ammunition contract worth P98 million.
The complaint has reportedly been “not acted upon” for unknown reason.
The Navy’s combat boats will be equipped with Remote Weapon Station and SPIKE-ER launchers and missiles.