Navantia also confirmed that they are the proponent offering the Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun 35mm CIWS to Philippine Navy for its 2 Jose Rizal-class frigates. They will include supply and local installation with a partner shipyard in Bataan.
1/x The project is said to be worth Php5.2 billion, which matches the Frigate Lot 4 - CIWS Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy as submitted under Horizon 3 Phase 1 worth Php5.27 billion. If chosen, they stand to likely supply CIWS to new HDC-3100 corvettes and 2 new LPDs
2/x

The Philippine Army's Commanding General LtGen Romeo Brawner confirmed that there are plans to acquire the M142 HIMARS in the near future. This reinforces his previous statements during Exericse BALIKATAN 2023 where he said HIMARS is being considered.
1/x Based on information we've gathered, the M142 HIMARS will be acquired separately from the PA's "official" MLRS Acquisition project & will be negotiated with US as part of Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. 1 or 2 batteries are eyed under this program.
📷 Agence France-Presse
2/x

Looking at the US' inventory of sea assets available for transfer/sale to allies, we fear that there isn't too many options that can be provided to the Philippines as part of the US-PH Security Sector Assistance Roadmap.
Either they are too old or too expensive to sustain.
1/x 1. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class are now old & expensive to revitalize, not to mention the availability for allies. Bahrain got a 2nd ship for $150m but needs a lot of work which may cost more than $100m extra.
2/x

With the current developments especially the improved defense & economic relations between the Philippines & Sweden, it is becoming apparent that the DND still aims to go with the Saab JAS-39C/D Gripen for the Philippine Air Force's MRF Acquisition Project. Here's why:
1/x 1. Price - the PAF's budget for MRF has practically unchanged, which means only Saab can meet the budget vs quantity needed. Lockheed Martin's offer for 12 aircraft, sans the other package inclusions, is still beyond the PAF's budget. At best it can onpy afford 6 Vipers.
2/x

Hyundai Heavy Industries' plan to setup a shipbuilding facility at the Cerberus Agila Subic Shipyard (former Hanjin Subic Shipyard) appears to be aimed at four potential market developments where the Korean shipbuilder may take advantage in participating.
1/x 1. The US Navy is studying the use of Japanese shipbuilders to maintain its ships in the region. And this is believed to potentially expand to South Korea, the Philippines & Singapore.

HHI's facility in both Korea and the Philippines may be able to take advantage of this.
2/x

With the DND and AFP formulating drafts of their Horizon 3 phase procurement plans, it remains to be seen what their intentions are with regards to Horizon 2 projects that have failed to reach award to proponents. There appears to be 3 options for the AFP and DND... 1/x 1st option is to continue these balance projects as Horizon 2 (and Horizon 1) at the same time as Horizon 3 projects. 2nd is to move them as they are as Horizon 3 projects. Both options will mean the projects will proceed with the same objective, budget, quantity, and specs. 2/x

Disappointed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' new defense strategy that appears to be a passive "Retreat to Shore" strategy, where we would rely too much on allies to fight outside our EEZ while our defenses become effective only when the enemy gets too close to shore. 1/x Too much emphasis will be given to Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) and reduced overreaching capabilities of defending the outer regions of our EEZ and Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOC). This means reducing reliance on ships & aircraft to venture out & for weapons delivery. 2/x

Unknown to many due to the Philippine Air Force deciding not to announce it, their FA-50PH Fighting Eagles were actually upgraded and may be the most advanced FA-50s in the world at the moment.
Pg 1/x A few years ago, we posted in our page that the PAF undertook its own FA-50 upgrade program that includes equipping them with Rafael's BNet-AR software defined radios, and readiness to accept Link 16 tactical data links.
Pg2/x

Japan is expected to formally offer some of its Type 74 tanks to the Philippines soon, with the Philippine Army expected to accept several units which it will use for shore defense, fire support, and training for armor and combined arms operations.
1/ Being a tank with a 105mm gun and weighing less than 40 tonnes, the Type 74 can be classified as a "Medium Main Battle Tank" under the Philippine Army planning and procurement. Which is the same as its upcoming ASCOD 2 Sabrah tanks.
2/