Philippines Defence Forum

[Cossack25A1]

4 Things To Know After The Philippines Kept Its Pact With The U.S. Military

August 6, 20211:17 PM ET


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has derided the United States, and courted China, through much of his time in office, putting one of America's oldest alliances in Asia on the back foot. But now, nearing the end of his single six-year term, the mercurial leader appears to be looking more favorably toward the Americans.

Last week, Duterte withdrew a year-and-a-half-old threat to cancel a key security pact with the U.S. — the Philippines-United States Visiting Forces Agreement. The 1998 VFA makes it easier for U.S. forces and ships to operate in the Philippines, including conducting large combat exercises that have alarmed China.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said last Friday that his government retracted its pending termination of the agreement and said, "We are back on track." He was speaking at a joint news conference in Manila with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who said restoring the VFA was "a very welcome decision."

MORE -> https://www.npr.org/2021/08/06/1025287447/philippines-united-states-military-agreement-analysis

 

[Cossack25A1]

France joins PH-US exercises for the first time
By: Frances Mangosing - Reporter / @FMangosingINQ
INQUIRER.net / 05:56 PM October 21, 2021

MANILA, Philippines—The French navy for the first time joined Philippine-US maritime exercises recently, which could mark France’s efforts to expand contribution to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

France took part in the maritime training activity Sama-Sama (Filipino for together) as an observer, along with Japan, which was joining for the second time. The exercises were held online from Oct. 10 to 15 to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among operating forces.

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Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/1...us-exercises-for-the-first-time#ixzz7AESY9hPP

 

[Cossack25A1]

PH military to boost arsenal with South Korean hardware

By: Frances Mangosing - Reporter / @FMangosingINQ
INQUIRER.net / 06:33 PM November 11, 2021

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine military is seeking to boost its arsenal with equipment from South Korea.
A team of defense and military officers was in South Korea last week for a joint visual inspection of used rocket systems and a surplus warship that will be handed over by the Seoul government, security officials familiar with the matter told INQUIRER.net.

The Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps are likely to be recipients of 22 Kooryong multiple launch rocket systems from the Korean Army. These would include equipment and ammunition. These were expected to be handed over to the Philippines in the next few months though this was first publicly announced in 2019.

Philippine Navy representatives examined the decommissioned Pohang-class corvette ROKS Andong (PCC-771) at the Jinhae naval base in South Korea. It was found to be in “good operating condition.”

If the transfer pushes through, the vessel will be the Philippines’ second donated ship by South Korea, which two years ago handed over a second-hand Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), now called BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39).



Link -> https://globalnation.inquirer.net/200218/ph-military-to-boost-arsenal-with-south-korean-hardware

 

[sahureka2]

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Holds Launch Ceremony in Shimonoseki Thursday launched its second 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) for the Philippines
https://www.untvweb.com/news/pcg-launches-second-97-meter-ship-in-japan/

 

[sahureka2]

in these photos the two 97 m Philippine OPVs still on the dock of the Mitsubishi shipyard to complete the final outfitting

 

[Indos]

MAX DEFENSE

Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that the Department of Budget Management (DBM) has approved the release of Php32 billion for the acquisition of 32 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utlity helicopters for the Philippine Air Force from Sikorsky's Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec. This is an additional project under the 2nd List of Horizon 2 phase.

He also confirmed that the DBM had also approved the release of Php30 billion to fund the acquisition of 6 new Offshore Patrol Vessels, which are still being negotiated with Australian shipbuilder Austal. The Philippine Navy's OPV Acquisition Project is part of Horizon 2 phase priority projects.
OPV Acquisition Project resource page below:

https://www.phdefresource.com/.../offshore-patrol-vessel...

He also confirmed that the DND is pushing forward with the acquisition of the Russian Helicopters Mil Mi-17 Hip, as well as six more A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft and six TAI T-129B ATAK attack helicopters.
These are some of the pending big ticket acquisitions of the DND under the current administration. There are several others that require funding approval including the Multirole Fighters and refunding for Long Range Patrol Aircraft for PAF, Submarines, Corvettes, and Shore Based Anti-Ship and Air Defense Missile Systems for the PN, and Land Based Anti-Ship Missile Systems and Helicopters for PA.
More on the article from Tribune below.
https://tribune.net.ph/.../lorenzana-plans-to-buy-32.../

 

[Indos]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1468414633476190211

PTDI will try to get PH Airforce buy their planes. Currently PH is interested to buy small plane for MSA and India has offered Dornier along with credit line.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1468504310858203138

 

[Indos]

Singaporean fansboy that become moderator in other forum have already got mad with this Pinoy decision to buy Russian defense equipment

He even angrily asked USA government to give huge sanction to Pinoy LOL who do you think you are.....

Down payment for PAF's Russian heavy-lift choppers out soon: DND

MANILA – Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the down payment for the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s Russian-sourced heavy-lift helicopter acquisition program will be released soon."Also, the down payment for the heavy-lift helicopters, I think will be paid soon so that we will have the...

www.pna.gov.ph

Not to mention Indonesia has also bought Russian weapon that he think is impossible to happen.......

I dont recommend big ticket order like SU 35 fighter, but I always said that support weapon from Russia like missiles and others will not make USA impose CATSAA to Indonesia

JUNE 2021

Indonesia acquires A-220M naval guns for KCR-60M attack craft

The Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) has acquired two A-220M 57 mm naval guns from Russia, and is now installing the first unit on a...

www.janes.com

 

[Indos]

Very beautiful plane indeed, new C 295 for Philippine Air Force

Philippine Navy is likely to buy 6 NC 212i from Indonesian Aerospace.

Previously Philippine Armed Force has also bough 2 NC 212i from Indonesian Aerospace and delivered 4 years ago.

 

[tonyget]

Philippines is the fourth largest ship builder in the world