Your 1st for Philippine Defense


Saturday, July 4, 2015

The Philippine Army's Shore Based Missile System Project, and Issues on Re-Aligning its Budget for Other Projects

Since China decided to intensify its claim of almost the entire South China Sea based on its 9-dash or 10-dash line, and its ambitions based on the "Island Chain Strategy", Asian countries, especially those with disputes with China, have become concerned of their capabilities to defend their territories and interests. This includes the capability to acquire Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) systems, which involves countering a superior opposing force by limiting it's area of free & safe access using asymmetric systems like missile batteries to guard sea and air spaces. 

The Philippines, being a front-line state affected by China's Island Chain Strategy, has been a subject of several defense analysis by major think-tanks (an example is provided here from RAND). And with its limited defense budget, A2/AD capabilities are among those suggested for acquisition by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). And the good news is, the Philippine defense planners were studying these options too with its plan to acquire Shore Based Missile Systems (SBMS).


This is the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship missile system, developed and made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan. This is a correct example of a Shore Based Missile System.
Photo taken from Wikimedia.



As part of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the Philippine Army (PA) was chosen to acquire and operate the SBMS, officially the project name used by the Department of National Defense (DND) and AFP to describe a land-based mobile anti-ship missile system. 

Highly mobile, they can be repositioned anywhere in the country that is accessible by road network and can be airflown by the Philippine Air Force's C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and can be hidden from aerial or satellite reconnaissance systems if necessary. The budget allocated by the DND for this project is Php 6.5 billion (around US$144 million) to acquire 12 missile launchers and its associated detection, guidance, and support systems

MaxDefense cannot post all other desired or specified technical information on the system due to security reasons. The project did not pass through the public tender acquisition format.


A typical anti-ship missile battery composition includes the launch system (left), a fire control system (right), and a radar system (not shown). Above shows a NSM coastal battery.
Photo taken from Naval Forces Magazine website.
The BrahMos mobile autonomous launcher for land-based batteries. The system includes the missile launcher canisters built together with the fire control and communication systems together in a single vehicle.
Photo taken from India's DRDO website.


Recent press releases by some media groups released some information to the public of plans to re-align the budget to acquire the Shore Based Missile System to acquire Force Protection Equipment. 



The Issues:

There are 2 issues being brought out to the public in this MaxDefense blog entry. One is the plan to realign the project's budget to fund another Army project, and the second is the choice made by the Army and DND should they continue with the project.



Issue # 1: Realignment of Budget from the SBMS to Acquisition of Force Protection Equipment:

Since the issue was brought out to the public by a recent article of Manila Standard Today (different from The Manila Times), and another from Interaksyon. MaxDefense believes it is safe enough to discuss the project and its issues.

The Philippine Army's commanding general, Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, has reportedly been asking the AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Pio Catapang, to defer the acquisition of the Shore Based Missile System, and instead re-align budget to acquire force protection equipment for the Army's infantry units. The report did not indicate if such move was approved or not, although it is among the projects worth more than Php 60 billion affected by the delay due to the President's review of the revised AFP Modernization program, as previously reported by the media.

According to the press report by Manila Standard Today, Lt. Gen. Iriberri's believes that there are changes in the internal security landscape due to the issues surrounding the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), and the prevalent use of IED by the enemies of the state, especially the communist terrorist group New People's Army (NPA).

While the intentions of the CG-PA is good and unquestionable, MaxDefense has reason to see it in a different perspective. Several questions can be raised on the good general's proposal. Here are just some examples:

- Why choose the SBMS project for re-alignment?
- Why not request for additional funding instead of re-aligning another project's budget?
- What happened to the previous projects to acquire force protection equipment?
- Is the CG-PA expecting a worse-case scenario (or is there already a confirmed threat) should the BBL fail to make it for approval and implementation?

The SBMS is among the most important projects that Pres. Aquino wanted for immediate implementation, since it would be a "poster boy" of a strong deterent against external threats. It could also be an acquisition that can boost his campaign to ask the people's support to continue his initiatives by voting his annointed one in 2016. It is amusing that this project was chosen by CG-PA for cancellation and not other projects within or outside the Army's scope. But being the priciest PA project, and with the next most expensive related to the CG-PA's initiative to improve infantry fighting capabilities, it made sense. 


The next priciest modernization project for the Army after the SBMS is the Night Fighting Equipment, like those installed on the rifle shown above. Obviously this is in line with the CG-PA's plan to improve the fighting capabilities and protection of infantry units.
Photo taken from UDMC's official FB page.


But what about those previous acquisiton projects for force protection equipment? If you all remember, there were several attempts to acquire Force Protection Equipment for the Philippine Army, and most failed to be implemented. There's the project to acquire 44,000 for the Army and Marines worth around Php2 billion, which until now is still pending after being awarded to Achidatex Nazareth Elite - Colorado Shipyard joint venture.. Then there's a failed contract for 3,480 units for the Army that was supposed to be supplied by UM-Merkata - Stone of David. Then there's another emergency procurement of 1,000 units that was terminated after failing tests. Until these projects are implemented, MaxDefense believes there is no immediate need yet to acquire more by canceling a very important territorial defense capability project.


So what happened to the earlier project for Force Protection Equipment awarded to Achidatex Nazareth Elite-Colorado Shipyard joint venture. Why not implement this first?
Photo taken from Achidetex Nazareth Elite's website.


But the most probable answer is an anticipation by the CG-PA that a failure to pass the BBL would mean the resurgence of fighting between Moro rebels/terrorists and government forces. This is a foresight by the Army's high command that is reasonable and commendable. But even without the BBL's cancellation, it is already expected that not all will be happy, and continued fighting against splinter groups of the MILF and MNLF, NPA, the Abu Sayaff and JI groups operating in Mindanao is still expected. So what's new?



Why only Force Protection Equipment?

And if this BBL failure happens, it's not only force protection equipment that the Army needs, but also more armored vehicles, mine/IED protected vehicles, and drone surveillance equipment. But these projects are not included in the AFP Modernization Program slated for until 2017, so why were these equipment not requested? MaxDefense previously discussed the need to acquire MRAP-like vehicles due to the surge in the use of landmines and IED by terrorist groups especially the NPA. But it would be best to acquire them by requesting a budget for it, free from the need to re-align other projects. Other AFP Modernization Program projects were given additional budget after the end-user defended the need to acquire them, like the acquisition of ex-USMC KC-130T for the Philippine Air Force which was not originally included in the 2010-2017 requirement. So how did the PAF did it?



Issue # 2: Acquisition of a Coastal Defense System based on a Rocket Artillery System instead of a real, proven Anti-Ship Missile System:

Should the PA and DND continue to implement the SBMS project, another issue that MaxDefense sees is more appalling; the decision to acquire the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Coastal and Island Defense System, based on the Lynx self-propelled rocket artillery system instead of a real, proven, land based anti-ship missile battery system. So far, this is the only product IMI is offering for coastal defense requirements.

IMI's has been actively promoting the entire system since 2014, with the system offered to Kazakhstan for its Protivokorabelniy Raketniy Kompleks Beregovoy Okhrani (PRKBO), and was also offered to Southeast Asian countries during the Singapore Airshow 2014. Vietnam confirmed the existence of the system in their coastal defense units. The Philippines was definitely among those offered with this system as the AFP had a delegation to the show before.


IMI's CIDS, which makes use of its guided rocket and Delilah cruise missile for land-based coastal defense.
Photo snipped from IMI's website.



Although the entire system includes targeting information from coastal surveillance radars and unmanned aerial vehicles, it is still unclear if the offer to the Philippine Army encompasses the entire package, especially when the system can be linked to the almost operational National Coast Watch System which already has the coastal surveillance radars in place/to be placed. It would be also possible that if this system be introduced, it would be linked to any future maritime patrol aircraft the Philippine Air Force and Navy would be getting.


The IMI Lynx Self-Propelled Rocket Launching System:

The IMI Lynx was originally developed to launch various artillery rockets against fixed land targets, in a similar fashion as a normal gun-based artillery like the 155mm howitzer. Through its development, IMI was able to expand the type of rockets the Lynx could launch. It now includes the following projectiles:

- Soviet Era 122mm BM-21 GRAD unguided artillery rocket system with a 20-kilometer maximum range;
- Soviet Era 220mm BM-27 Uragan unguided artillery rocket system with a 38-kilometer maximum range;
- IMI's 160mm LAR-160 unguided artillery rocket system with a 45-kilometer maximum range;
- IMI's Trajectory Corrected Rockets (TCS) for unguided rockets with a maximum range of between 40 to 50 kilometers;
- IMI's 160mm LAR-160-based Accular guided rocket with a maximum range of 40 kilometers;
- IMI's 303mm Extended Range Artillery Rocket (EXTRA) navalized guided and unguided rocket system with a maximum range of 150 kilometers;
- IMI's 370mm Predator Hawk long range guided semi-ballistic rocket with a maximum range of 250 kilometers;
- IMI's Delilah-GL ground launched cruise missile with a range of 180-250 kilometers


The IMI Lynx mobile rocket launching system, seen here configured to launch the Delilah-GL cruise missile. Up to 2 can be carried in a single lorry.
Photo taken from IMI's website.


Looking at the list above, the only possible systems that can be used by the IMI Lynx mobile rocket launcher system as an effective shore based defense system are the navalized guided version of the EXTRA, the Accular rocket version of the LAR-160, the Predator Hawk guided rocket and the Delilah-GL cruise missile. All other rocket types does not have the range nor the guidance system to be able to hit a moving target.

Based on the information provided in IMI's own website and product brochures:

- The Accular has a 35kg warhead, and the Lynx can carry up to 26 rockets in 2 launch pods using its LAR-160 rocket launcher. 
- The guided EXTRA rocket has a 120kg warhead, can carry high explosive or cargo-carrying submuntion including 500 IMI Bantam sub-munitions or bomblets, and the Lynx can carry up to 8 rockets in 2 launch pods. 
- The Predator Hawk has a 200kg explosive-fragmentation warhead, and Lynx can carry 4 rockets in 2 launch pods. 

All guided rocket systems has a claimed hit accuracy Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 10 meters. 

- The Delilah-GL cruise missile has an electro-optical or IR guidance system, armed with a 30-kilogram high explosive warhead although IMI claims that this could be increased since the original warhead was designed to minimize collateral damage in urban land-attack use.  



The Lynx can carry a mix of all the rocket systems it can carry, in this case a mix of the EXTRA and LAR-160 systems with EXTRA and Accular guided rockets in CIDS form.


Advantages:

Guided rockets will be fed with the target information before launch, and will be be approaching the target from a high trajectory level, in the same approach as its unguided variants and unlike anti-ship cruise missiles. It will be guided to its target by a GPS-augmented inertial navigation system. 

The high approach speed and high angle of attack is a positive attribute to the guided rocket system compared to an anti-ship cruise missile flying just a few feet above sea level at subsonic speed. It would be difficult for point defense gun systems like the Phalanx or the Chinese Type 730 CIWS to shoot it down. It smaller size could also be an advantage as it would be more difficult to detect and hit, even by missile CIWS like RAM. This is the same principle as to why the Chinese have been pouring its resources in developing the DF-21D "carrier killer" anti-ship ballistic missile.

As rocket systems also fly faster than turbojet-powered cruise missiles, it can reach its target faster. And since it will approach the target faster too, it would be difficult to kill using short range hard-kill systems like gun or missile CIWS systems. 

Cost is another advantage of using these rocket systems. Development of these systems was greatly influenced by costs, as IMI claims it can develop an effective system without the high costs of anti-ship missiles. 

Meanwhile, the Delilah-GL would be a guided missile system, with the same characteristics as most surface-to-ship missile systems. It has almost the same range as most familiar anti-ship missiles, and has the capability of autonomous navigation and go-around, and redesignation of target while in flight. It is also capable of loitering capability and not immediately going to its target when necessary.  




Disadvantages:

On both the Accular, EXTRA, and Predator Hawk guided rockets, MaxDefense has some doubts on the capability to hit moving, highly defended targets like frigates and destroyers. It is expected that the system will be used against small, fast surface moving targets, cruising at around 30 knots (55 kilometers per hour) which is the maximum speed of most major warships in the neighborhood. Although IMI claims that the rocket can be used to hit moving targets, this is not yet highly proven compared to anti-ship missiles. Even against a fixed target, IMI claims that the hit accuracy CEP is only 10 meters. A moving target will obviously be more difficult to hit and the hit accuracy CEP would probably increase from the claimed 10 meters. That would be enough to increase the miss probability against a frigate-sized warship. To improve its probability of hitting, MaxDefense believes that there will be a need to fire several rockets against a single target.


The IAI/IMI EXTRA 303mm artillery rocket.
Photo taken from IMI's website.



Vietnam bought the EXTRA rocket artillery system to equip their coastal defense artillery forces, but previous discussions by MaxDefense to some Vietnamese military officers last year indicated that the system would not be sufficient enough to destroy enemy ships but would be useful in attacking a large cluster of incoming amphibious assault force using submunitions, or bombarding islands like those in the Spratlys or Paracel Islands. But with the Philippines being a signatory of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, it is expected that the version the PA intends to get will not include such.


A footage from Vietnamese media showing off the coastal artillery unit's EXTRA guided rocket system mounted on a fixed launcher. According to the report, its primary purpose is to defend Vietnam from seaborne landing.


Being a guided rocket system without an autonomous navigation capability, it could be prone to jamming. A few seconds delay in the transmission of information from the targeting system due to jamming could allow the rocket to miss its target by a hundred meters or more. 

While the Delilah-GL is a very good cruise missile, MaxDefense believes that the warhead size is too small. At 30 kilograms or more, it is far from the warhead sizes of most anti-ship cruise missiles in service: Harpoon warhead is at 220 kilograms, the Naval Strike Missile at 125 kilograms, the French Exocet MM-40 at 145 kilograms, the Japanese Type 88 at 225 kilograms, and the upcoming Long Range Anti Ship Missile (LRASM) at 450 kilograms. Even the old AGM-119 Penguin missile has a warhead size of 120 to 130 kilograms. So the Delilah's warhead is somewhere between 4 to 8 times smaller than the usual anti-ship cruise missile! 

The Delilah's warhead size is similar in size as the new Sea Venom, which is scheduled to replace the ageing Sea Skua short range anti-ship missile.


The Delilah cruise missile, which is available in air, ground, or sea-launched variants.
Photo taken from IMI's website.
MBDA's Sea Venom missile, which has a similar warhead size of 30 kilograms.
Photo taken from Wikipedia.


Based on the claims by MBDA on the capability of Sea Venom, the 30 kilogram warhead was designed for effective use against, and MaxDefense quotes, "emerging Fast Attack Craft and Fast Inshore Attack Craft ranging between 50 to 500 tons, and traditional corvettes, while only severely damaging or incapacitating larger vessels through precision aim point selection".


Lets say IMI can increase the size of the warhead as they claim, it could be possible that this would affect its maximum effective range. If the Delilah can be configured to carry a 54 kilogram warhead, it would still be too small compared to its anti-ship contemporaries. MaxDefense doubts that the increase would have huge impact in performance against larger ships, and if it still requires precision aim point selection then that would be difficult to do especially if the target is operating within a well protected battlegroup. This problem could be more visible if used against larger ships like large amphibious assault ships and small aircraft carriers which may not even make a sufficient dent as they were designed to take in some damage without affecting too much its primary capabilities.


To summarize the above, the guided rockets may not have the accuracy of anti-ship missiles, while the Delilah-GL cruise missile does not have the punch of purpose built anti-ship cruise missiles. Used in combination, it could inflict damage but could not be enough to be considered a major threat against enemy naval forces.




Cost Issues?

MaxDefense believes that the Philippine Army and the DND knows of the disadvantages of using IMI's CIDS as compared to conventional land-based anti-ship cruise missile systems. But an important factor has been factored in that made them decide on acquiring this system, and MaxDefense believes that it is the cost.

With only around Php 90 billion to spend, the AFP Modernization Program has a really big issue of filling a lot of requirements with a very small budget spread in a long period. Php 6.5 billion is already 7.2% of the budget for the entire AFP, so it might be difficult to justify further allocation without affecting several other projects funded by the Modernization program. 

To give readers a perspective, a good example of a recent acquisition of land based anti-ship missile system is by Poland. In 2014, Poland ordered a second batch of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defense System from Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace of Norway for US$177 million. Although the numbers of launcher systems were not provided, it would definitely be less than their original order worth US$263 million in 2008 to acquire six quadruple truck-mounted missile launchers, two TRS-15M ODRA-M truck mounted radar systems, six fire control and three command vehicles. It also includes 48 NSM missiles.


The NSM Coast Defense System's truck mounted missile launcher together with the truck mounted TRS-15 radar.
Photo taken from Wikipedia.


This first order from Poland is already less than the Philippine Army requirement for 12 launchers, but it already exceed by almost twice the budget allocated in the SBMS project. Thus, a SBMS using the Kongsberg NSM Coastal Defense System based on Poland's experience is more than $440 million (around Php19.8 billion) or higher considering inflation due to the initial deal being closed several years ago. That's almost 3 times higher than the budget allocated for the SBMS project!

A cheaper alternative can be seen with Vietnam's acquisition of the K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defense missile system from Russia. In 2006, Vietnam acquired a Bastion-P system for $150 million, which is close to the budget the Philippines allocated for the SBMS. But this was in 2006, and if inflation is considered, the deal could be somewhere near to $200-300 million by now. A single Bastion-P system consists of one or two command, control and communications vehicles, up to four self-propelled launch vehicles with two missiles each, and up to 3 reload transport vehicles with 3 missiles each. 


Vietnamese coastal defense troops with their K300P Bastion-P mobile missile launcher vehicle. Each vehicle can carry 2 P-800 Onix (Yakhont) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile.
 


Does the PA and DND have Php 19.8 billion for the SBMS Project? MaxDefense believes it has none. But can the Philippine government allocate Php 19.8 billion for a similar system as those bought by the Poles? MaxDefense believes the government definitely can, as long as it has the initiative and strong support of the AFP's drive to modernize its capabilities.




Dual Use System:

Another consideration that MaxDefense believes the Philippine Army made is that aside from being a coastal defense asset, the Lynx MLRS system can also be used for land-attack missions using both guided and unguided rockets, and even the Delilah-GL missile. There were previous press releases by the DND that the system would also be used for attack on ground targets. This will definitely improve the Philippine Army's artillery forces capability with the introduction of a rocket artillery capability that is currently not available in its inventory. This would be in-line with plans for the Philippine Army to use its existing artillery systems for secondary use as coastal artillery as part of its doctrines.

MaxDefense believes that the Philippine Army will not be adapting the option to use submunitions on the EXTRA free flight rocket, as the Philippines is among the signatories of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. This is among the issues discussed and gave importance by President Aquino during his meeting with the DND and AFP early this year.

In comparison, Vietnam already uses the Lynx, Malaysia and Indonesia both operate the Brazilian ASTROS-II system, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar all use Soviet era MLRS systems, Thailand uses a mix of homegrown DT-1 and Chinese made systems, while Singapore operates the expensive, American-made HIMARS MLRS system. The presence of Lynx MLRS in its inventory would allow the Philippine Army to be at par with its regional contemporaries.


The Lynx MLRS in its standard form can be used to fire rocket artillery against land targets, which the PA can use when not designated for coastal defense. Photo shows the Lynx armed with the LAR-160 artillery rockets.
Photo taken frim IMI's website.


#  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  #  # 


MaxDefense's Conclusion:

Although the concern of Lt. Gen. Iriberri is commendable considering his care for his troopers, MaxDefense believes that re-aligning funds from the SBMS project is not the best way. MaxDefense suggests that the Philippine Army first realize the earlier projects to acquire Force Protection Equipment that would allow them to acquire around 36,000 units for the PA and almost 10,000 units for the Philippine Marine Corps. The Army already has existing inventory of force protection equipment by the thousands, so if fully utilized, they can have almost 50,000 troops (more than 50% of the Army's full troop numbers) with the equipment. 

The Philippine Army can again request for more protection systems, this time to include not only armored vests, but also better kevlar helmets, boots, goggles, vest-integrated carriers, knee and elbow protection, and other infantry provisions in the next phase of the AFP Modernization Program. And to fully keep our troops safe from IED and roadside bomb threats, consider acquiring more MRAP or MRAP-like armored vehicles designed to protect troops against these threats. 

It would be very easy to conclude that the Philippine Army will need something better than the IMI Coastal & Island Defense System. But it would actually be the Philippine government, not the Philippine Army, that could make it possible to acquire an anti-ship cruise missile battery. This is possible if the Philippine government could increase its funding to allow the PA to consider acquiring them. But this is too late for now, with the government already curtailing spending as election season starts from October this year. 

There can be 3 choices for now, either: 
- proceed to acquire the IMI CIDS based on the Lynx MLRS, enough to equip at least 3 batteries of 4 mobile launchers each;
- consider acquiring a coastal defense system based on anti-ship missiles, but only enought to equip a battery or 2 underequipped batteries;
- request additional funding through special means, either by diverting funds from other projects of the AFP Modernization Program or by external sources, but this could take more time and might not allow the DND to close a deal before it can be considered a midnight deal by October 2015.

MaxDefense believes that the first 2 options can be made.


Is there still hope?

MaxDefense believes that there is still hope, but the chances are slim considering that the DND and AFP does not give emphasis on acquiring Russian weapons systems like the Bastion-P. The most possible the Philippines can get a true anti-ship missile battery is from India with its BrahMos coastal missile battery. But with the Indian offer dismissed before for reasons that cannot be disclosed to the public, the chances for an AShM option is very slim.

Then there is the issue of DND officials being critical to offers made by IMI, as reported previously by some controvertial and unreliable media personalities and newspaper group, wherein IMI's appointed company to represent them in the Philippines was said to be very close to certain DND officials. Although until now this is still considered hearsay until proven in courts, MaxDefense believes that this could also be another possibility.


India's BrahMos is really the best and most possible option against the Lynx, but that will depend if  India can make the offer more affordable, and if the DND can even put their attention on the offer.
Photo taken from defense.pk.


MaxDefense sources confirmed that recently, the DND has been open again in offers made by several anti-ship cruise missile manufacturers, but it has not been confirmed if these offers are for the SBMS project, or for other naval and air force projects that will require them in the near future. 

For the Philippine Navy alone, there are the requirement for the new frigates which are expected to be awarded to a shipbuilder soon; a system for exisiting PN ships like the Gregorio del Pilar-class, Jacinto-class, and some others; and a small short range system to be considered for the Anti-Submarine Helicopter project. The Philippine Air Force will probably start considering their own acquisition as well to equip the planned Long Range Patrol Aircraft and possibly the P-3C Orions it is negotiating with Japan.



MaxDefense hopes that whatever decision made by the DND to acquire for the SBMS project, must be effective enough to provide the country with a A2/AD capability while still considering to acquire a superior system and/or additional units to cover more areas of the country as part of the next phase of the AFP Modernization Program.


==========
UPDATES:
==========
July 5, 2015:
MaxDefense wants to clarify the issue being brought out by a certain defense forum regarding the release of information on the Shore Based Missile System project, which was made by MaxDefense on July 4, 2015.

First off, MaxDefense is familiar with the concept of secrecy especially in divulging any information related to the defense capability or procurement of the country. Just because MaxDefense is not divulging its sources and is not working together with these defense forums, doesn't mean that MaxDefense sources aren't reliable or capable of knowing what information can be released or not.

Secondly, the information released by MaxDefense regarding this project has nothing to do with MaxDefense sources, because all the information were based on information already released to the public via news reports or press releases made by the DND and AFP / Philippine Army themselves. Aside from news reports and press releases, MaxDefense made use of information coming from online sources, like the product list and press releases by IMI, defense and security related websites, and other online sources that can be accessed on the blog entry by clicking the phases that are in green

As early as 2013, there were already limited information that the PA is planning to acquire the SBMS project either via limited bidding or government-to-government process. It was also the media who released the information that the company involved is Israel Military Industries (IMI) even though there were already indication that IMI was among those who offered their systems to the DND.

With IMI involved, it is impossible that only MaxDefense can make such conclusion that the CIDS was involved. Even people who are familiar with defense products can know that there is only 1 product that IMI can provide, and that is the Coastal & Island Defense System that IMI has been publicly offering since 2013. MaxDefense has NOT CONFIRMED that this is exactly what the DND is acquiring for the Army, and MaxDefense has NOT CONFIRMED that the information on CIDS came from any source. It is a product of research, experience, and analysis of MaxDefense. Let us not assume that MaxDefense is too smart and other people are too dumb to not know about this, not in this era of internet and social media.

Third, other than those released by MaxDefense to the public, there are any other information about the SBMS, the issues involving it including the reasons of delay, and the plan of CG-PA to re-align the budget because these information are not yet publicly released by the DND, PA, any government agency, or by any press reports. Although MaxDefense is expecting more information to be released very soon, it will not be MaxDefense that will initiate these public releases.

And lastly, MaxDefense will respect any decision by the DND or AFP to take down the blog entry should they find it too revealing. 

MaxDefense will be continuously updating this blog entry as necessary. Thank you for your continued support of MaxDefense.



==========
July 7, 2015:
The news is finally out to the public. Inquirer has finally posted more details of the re-alignment project discussed in the blog entry earlier. It was MaxDefense policy not to be the first one to break such news to the public.

Military leaders 'axed missile deal for helmets'

In face of China threat, DND seeks to realign P6.5-B missile program back to internal security


But the DND also denied the earlier reports that the project was realigned, rather claiming that the SBMS project is still yet to be approved, and that the budget for it was reprioritized "due to changing dynamics of the country's security environment".



MaxDefense will be discussing more on this issue on the next blog entry which will augment our earlier one.

77 comments:

  1. I'm sick and tired about these planning and fantasy game of our afp. Too much planning will lead us to nothing. F**k this government and our afp!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This will happen in our dreams only. The chinese are contructing their facility in spartly as fast as they can. And here we are, still doing it from scratch. Kudos to Max for doing this informative news. I'm already losing patience for this government regarding the modernization program. No doubt the chinese has no fear of bullying us because of our usad pagong system.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sir Max,


    Thanks for the great info. It seems the AFP is in another crossroads. This is a result of the neglect they were subjected to during the past decades even up to the Martial Law Era. I beleieve that the best decission is to aquire dedicated Shore Based Anti-Surface Weapon because it can be concetrated on one mission alone. Control of the equipment should be shared between the Navy and the Army for greater operational interoperabilty and knowledge sharing. Budget constraints still hamper our Armed Forces simply beacuse we are a 3rd World Country trying to catch up. The situation is indeed gruesome but we have to live with it. I think what the AFP needs now is ingenuity. When the IDF was on its early stage they used alot of old materials and used it effectively against much larger well armed adversaries. The Government Arsenal Company should be given budget to acquire licenses and capability to produce not just ammunitions but it's own mortar, rocket artillery (As simple as attaching 75mm rocket launchers on back of M35 or even Fuso and Elf trucks would do good; Look at syrian rebels using russian UB-16 launchers on back of pickup trucks.) and 105mm Howitzers like the M101 or M102 (like the Koreans). If the Army and the Marines need more Firepower they should acquire a lot more 2nd hand 105mm Howitzers since the country is mountainous a lighter Howitzer is the way to go. US, UK, Italy and ROK have a lot of older 105s since they are shifting towards 155s and the transfer can be faster than acquiring brand new units.


    -KFM

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some Opinions:

    * Iriberri has an agenda. For a military man, I do not believe he does not see the dire need for SBMS. I do not believe he's in it for the welfare of the common foot soldier. Show me proof that he has been lobbying for their welfare from the very start and I might change my perception of him from traitorous -- to just plain dumb. As Max has pointed out, too many questions on why he has pin pointed the SBMS project as his target for re-alignment. I wouldn't be surprised if he's on China's payroll. This man must be investigated.

    * We all know PH's procurement process has been very slow. Even approved projects take time. This request for re-alignment would only cause further delay and MUST not be entertained.

    * If the budget only permits the purchase of the IMI Lynx and swift delivery is guaranteed. I'm all for it. PROVIDED, the second batch of SBMS would be a LOT MORE capable than this one. In this way we get some sort of high-low mix. But PH better be sure that their high-end SBMS would really be high-end, or else, there's no point in having SBMS.

    * I'm assuming this is a Government to Government deal. if we do get these Lynx "quasi"-ASMs, we do get discounts for The SPYDER, do we?

    - Neo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it is high time for these generals to be branded as traitors and should be tried accordingly! all they love are their pockets, not their country. if we let these corrupt generals have their way, we might wake up someday to a west philippine sea teeming with chinese naval vessels with their army of civilian fishing boats marauding our riches, as we watch helplessly.

      Delete
    2. The DND's PR people are working their butt's off just to appease us as if we are little kids. Promising submarines and missiles on a bigger budget. Even going as far as re-wording re-alignment with re-prioritization, changing negotiations to proposals. Hindi na masama loob ko na makukuha ng China ang KIG, pero kina-kasama ng loob ko eh yung mga taong na-atasan protektahan ang Pilipinas eh walang inuna kundi mga sarili nila At nakaka-lungkot isipin na makaka-lusot mga kaga-guhan nila.

      Kawawang Pilipinas.

      - Neo

      Delete
  5. The request of Lt. Gen. Iriberri to re-align the P6.5 billion budget of the SBMS for the acquisition of P 2 billion force protection equipment is another menu for corruption by AFP Generals bec. re-aligning already requested, defended and approved budgets to other purpose for whatever reason in any government departments has been tainted with corruption problems in the past. He can ask for additional funding, follow-up his previous request for such budget or wait for the next budget request but “never” request for re-alignment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just out of curiousity are we going to see the awarding of the 2 brand new frigates for the Philippine Navy this year Mr. Max? Are we going to have new frigates? I am the one who criticized the the good professor's idea of more paramilitary ships. I believe for the paramilitary ships to be effective they have to be backed up by real warships. In the region we are really far behind our neighbors. It is disappointing that countries smaller than us can field more lethal firepower. It shows the lack of concern among our leaders about the need to protect our territorial integrity. I fear whoever gets elected as the next president will not prioritize the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't agree with the re-alignment, either for force protection or for anti ship artillery. It does not make sense. And it is born from a deep rooted Filipino value-by being complacent. That value have brought the entire AFP into decadence. Gen. Iriberri is not acting up as a true leader who can guide an organization into a general objective. He is more concern on winning the BIFF war. That is a very pathetic excuse for a man who handles an entire army.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Are the graft charges against Army Chief Iriberri true:

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/693470/anti-graft-movement-hits-filing-of-criminal-case-vs-army-chief

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for this info Sir Max. First, If our country's strategy is to hit / sink enemy ships during conflict I have doubts with this weapon. So we need at least multiple rocket rounds to be fired to guarantee a precise HIT on a target right? Will this be costly in the long run by stocking more rockets to insure a HIT on the enemy?
    Second, If deployed any one of our occupied islands in the WPS chances are those islet will be overrun anyway by a much superior force so bye bye to these expensive systems. I doubt the Delilah GL is chosen because from your article the system must be dual use. Maybe internal conflict? It’s expensive to use the Delilah series against Abu Sayaff, BIFF or MILF.
    So for me and its only me I would rather invest on the more expensive land based anti ship missile system because this will be deployed in our mainland and away from the contested WPS. Why argue for shortage of funds? BBL is near to extinction already so probably we could use the 70 billion BBL Fund. Imagine what weapon platforms could buy this amount. Renbios.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ever think to buy from your neighbors? Many of your neighbors have defense industry, why not buy from them the bots, bullet prof helmet and vest and some basic equipment? That homegrown rocket artillery from Thailand seem cheap enough.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how about we make them ourselves and create jobs.

      Delete
    2. we need not only anti ship missiles but surface to air missiles. and must be deployed around the archipelago and not only in the WPS. concentrating our coastal defenses in the south and neglecting the Northwest and southeast is incompetence.

      Delete
  11. Here's my doomsday prediction. Once China has completed it's placement of missile/radar/artillery systems & military support facilities at the reclaimed reefs, our PAF Patrol planes/PN ships/PCG boats have no chance of getting within it's declared military zone. And in the event of a war against China, w/c will probably happen within the coming 5 years esp. if Donald Trumps (who hates China) becomes the next US president, it will require lots of bombardment with SSM & ASM missiles & protection with SAMs before PN ships & assault forces can be able to re-take back the reefs. US naval & air forces will be busy confronting incoming Chinese forces in open seas outside of our EEZ. An AFP with no SBMS systems to use cannot even protect our mainland let alone re-taking back our reefs.Thus the need for SBMS.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just asking isnt it illegal to re-align a budget to fund another project?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope! but we must consider that re-aligning the budget will cost another delay the AFP already on this plan for long and it coast a lot of time to complete it cost a lot money for the tea, coffee, brandy, gin, beer and etc. on the plan... plus re-aligning the fund is obviously milking those greedy general.... like General Beri-beri and his gang.

      The DND must stick in to the plan, otherwise all of their effort will be sayang.....
      mcpadz

      the army has given their sweet time already for this force protection project but it failed so, its time to do with other project. if the army wish to push another bidding then lets them wait next.

      The DND must

      Delete
  13. Just like I been saying before over and over. Its too late now. China won the creeping invasion of the SCS. arming these reefs and islet is easy and is happening now. We or our government did not do their homework after the closure of the US bases no politician or defense planners bother modernizing the AFP. that was the time to do it. that was the time to plan acquiring subs and missiles and building structures to what we thought were ours. But we did nothing even when the first seizing of our islet happened. all the government thinking was the US will come and save us. Vietnam was more prepared and even them seized one of our islets and we did not even confront them at that time because that islet were not occupied and left unsecured.
    here is one writer commentary in yahoo news I read and printed it: and he is correct:
    This pathetic government didnt have the balls to make their presence felt and now the disputed island has been taken over and militarized showing no respect to the cowardly philippine government. while vietnam, a country no better than the phils, resisted chinese boats patrolling their waters and as a result chinese gauged them with respect and caution. Blame Filipino incompetence, corruptibility and indecisiveness.If you think a piece of paper can make china leave, filipinos are more stupid than i thought. Pathetic
    if we keep on being laid back or lazy then this is the path of our destruction.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hence,we have a budget problem for procuring our needs for modernization thus the DND should prioritized their procurement of what is the immediate needs of our armed forces and fast track the process of acquisition of the weapons or equipments.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sorry for being noob, but I can't understand why this blog making fuss over the other site.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "opsec" revealed perhaps...sir max any comment on this?

      Delete
    2. Please see the update section dated July 5, 2015 to clarify this matter. Thank you.

      Delete
    3. Honestly, I don't know if there's anything really left for the AFP/DND to hide. They have been announcing projects and plans left and right and the media is just reporting it.. oftentimes incorrectly.

      But still.. the blame still goes to the AFP/DND. You just don't release modernization details like the PAF's Flight Plan 2028, as if China has no access to the internet. From the moment you leak out plans, OPFOR would be on top of every item we are supposed to get, even from day one.

      For critical assets like radars and missiles systems, the AFP/DND should have at least, kept the whole project from going public. From conception to delivery, to deployment.

      But NO, they had to tell the public as it makes up for great publicity.

      That's just stupid.

      Here's another sample of AFP/DND's stupidity: the BVR capabilities on the FA-50. Why even announce we would like to have BVR capable FA-50s? Why even announce we're probably getting just 3 or 4 BVR planes?

      The leak makes no sense. If the AFP/DND is applying deception strategies, they would have said "We' want to integrate BVR on the FA-50". But there would be no mention of plans to just have 3 to 4 them installed.

      Call that misinformation and a bluff at the same timel.

      In this way, if the Chinese think FA-50, they would have to think they're facing BVR capable planes. All of them.

      In the event that the Chinese has figured out that PH is too cheap to get all of their supposed FA-50s installed with BVR, at least, we have made their spies work harder than just browsing thru the internet.

      As for the SBMS, I doubt this is hardly classified information at this point. It should have been, but I think the AFP/DND is not capable of procuring supposedly high-value assets in a secure manner. Every player, The Chinese, the Americans, the Japanese and even Malaysia would have known the information about our SBMS even before Max has put this post in writing.

      So why complain about a written article in Maxdefense about security?

      If the AFP wants secrecy, they better shut-the-fuck-up.

      No more announcements. At least not for critical assets. Get the assets and hide them as much as possible. Keep everything vague, spread misinformation, secure information, major plans should be kept and not publicized.

      We're a nation with a very weak AFP, the Chinese know that, actually everybody knows that. The Chinese have won half the war by just knowing how incapable we are. It is time we lock down on information and move in secrecy, at least it would leave room for China to second guess our capability. At least make them worry a little.

      I enjoy reading Maxdefense, it is very informative and this is where I have learned how dumb our high officials really have been (and still are). This is where I found out how sorry our AFP is.

      Maxdefense is no more at fault than the DND planning for less than suitable AShMs, it's no more at fault than the Navy's delayed frigates, no more at fault than some general who wants to re-align the budget for the SBMS, no more at fault than newspapers spreading wrong information, no more at fault than politicians that only care about their standing as lawmakers and how to make money out of 'em, no more at fault than any other citizen who does not care about what's really going on.

      - Neo

      Delete
    4. In the information age it does not matter if things are revealed in the blog or internet. Weapons that we buy outside the country will always be known to our enemies. The only time we can really hide such capability is if we produce the weapons ourselves. It does not matter if China knows we have these weapons. What matters more is where we position them and that is the thing that should remain a secret. Advertising your capability is one way of discouraging the enemy for it ensures that a price will be paid for trying to grab someone's territory. I was initially impress with efforts of President Aquino but since the failure of the 2 brand new frigates to materialize i am now disappointed with him. He could have done more. Really we should expect more from our leaders...

      Delete
    5. Advertising our weapons is good -- if we truly have enough of them. Advertising 12 FA-50s and 2 frigates? That's like a chick in her underwear telling her would be rapist she knows karate.

      Rapist would be like .. "LOL karate".

      Whereas a hooded chick, just looks at the rapist never utters a word, and the rapist will be like "pepper spray? knife? HIV?"

      I mean.. he gets to second guess..

      BUT...

      At this point however, I might opt for everything to be transparent. So forget about what I just said. LOL.

      Secrecy is good, but secrecy may lead to more inefficiency, incompetence and corruption that we are having right now (as if we haven't have enough already).

      - Neo

      Delete
    6. The mere budget that we had for our defense, our enemy knows our weaknesses. But if you say, I have alloted a budget of billion of dollars in the procurement of warfare platforms in short terms aside from regular budget to support salaries and operational supports of the AFP then our enemy will think twice just like the Vietnamese had done.

      Delete
  16. I don't know what to say it seems that AFP/DND are not at the same page with regards to strategic defense of the country.....AFP/DND should work together, talk together to come up with best solution amid China's aggressiveness in the WPS.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A few.projectiles that have a chance to sink but not enough to evade defenses or more projectiles that has lesser chance for major damage but in enough number to evade defenses. Plus if the system is flexible enough, I would go for the lynx systems. But I hope they won't use it for land targets... Such an expensive option. You can also mix a larger ashm missiles with the smaller ones to increase the chance the bigger missile would hit. A ballistic trajectory or high angle of attack has a farther detection range too. Thus,has more chances to be reacted upon. A sea skimming cruise missile, preferably with a supersonic terminal speed would have more chances

    ReplyDelete
  18. Chinese navy is the real threat in the west philippine sea, so the shore base anti-missile system is a good option but we still need anti air defense system to protect them like the used korean hawk SAM .. norwegian Naval Strike Missile is a good one, poland already operate it,

    ReplyDelete
  19. Honestly, I don't know if there's anything really left for the AFP/DND to hide. They have been announcing projects and plans left and right and the media is just reporting it.. oftentimes incorrectly.

    But still.. the blame still goes to the AFP/DND. You just don't release modernization details like the PAF's Flight Plan 2028, as if China has no access to the internet. From the moment you leak out plans, OPFOR would be on top of every item we are supposed to get, even from day one. Specially the radars, the mrfs and the missile systems.

    For critical assets like radars and missiles systems, the AFP/DND should have at least, kept the whole project from going public. From conception to delivery, to deployment.

    But NO, they had to tell the public as it makes up for great publicity. Get the assets first then boast later, if you feel the need to boast.

    Here's another sample of AFP/DND's stupidity: the BVR capabilities on the FA-50. Why even announce we would like to have BVR capable FA-50s? Why even announce we're probably getting just 3 or 4 BVR planes?

    The leak makes no sense. If the AFP/DND is applying deception strategies, they would have said "We' want to integrate BVR on the FA-50". But there would be no mention of plans to just have 3 to 4 them installed.

    Call that misinformation and a bluff at the same time. In this way, if the Chinese think FA-50, they would have to think they're facing BVR capable planes. All of them. In the event that the Chinese has figured out that PH is too cheap to get all of their supposed FA-50s installed with BVR, at least, we have made their spies work harder than just browsing thru the internet.

    As for the SBMS, I doubt this is hardly classified information at this point. It should have been, but I think the AFP/DND is not capable of procuring supposedly high-value assets in a secure manner. Every player, The Chinese, the Americans, the Japanese and even Malaysia would have known the information about our SBMS even before Max has put this post in writing.

    So why complain about a written article in Maxdefense about security?

    If the AFP wants secrecy, they better shut-the-fuck-up.

    No more announcements. At least not for critical assets. Get the assets and hide them as much as possible. Keep everything vague, spread misinformation, secure information, major plans should be kept and not publicized.

    We're a nation with a very weak AFP, the Chinese know that, actually everybody knows that. The Chinese have won half the war by just knowing how incapable we are. It is time we lock down on information and move in secrecy, at least it would leave room for China to second guess our capability. At least make them worry a little.

    Regarding the "attack" on Maxdefense, I admit, I would be biased. I enjoy reading Maxdefense, it is very informative and this is where I have learned how dumb our high officials really have been (and still are). This is where I found out how sorry our AFP is. This is where I find hope that the Military/Government is doing something (or not doing something).

    Is Maxdefense guilty of spreading critical information?

    Yes, but not really.

    The AFP/DND is pretty fucked up as it is. Why worry about a blog entry when everything about the AFP/DND has been pretty lame.

    Maxdefense is no more at fault than the DND planning for less than suitable AShMs, it's no more at fault than the Navy's delayed frigates, no more at fault than some general who wants to re-align the budget for the SBMS, no more at fault than newspapers spreading wrong information, no more at fault than politicians that only care about their standing as lawmakers and how to make money out of 'em, no more at fault than any other citizen who does not care about what's really going on.

    - Neo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Enough with your rant. If you are as smart as you think you are you should just act positively and help inspire readers who may become leaders of our country. For as long as we are buying military equipment from outside the country these capabilities will always be known to our enemies. What should be kept secret is where we deploy them. There is no hiding the fact that we have a weak military. The Chinese started to encroached on our territory 2 decades ago starting in the 1990's. If we had the military might we would have challenge them a long time ago. It is not blog entries that will help the modernization of our Armed Forces but the active participation of intelligent people participating in this blog. We need to form a political party and we need to take back our country from corrupt leaders who have put our country in decline...

      Delete
    2. I can almost hear the sound of a fist slamming a table and hearing these words --

      "Enough of your rant." LOL.

      But anyway, could you please attack the post and not the poster I'm getting nervous

      really. And yeah.. I never said I'm smart or smarter than anyone (although I could

      forgive you for thinking that way).

      As for the "inspire thingy" - I'd be honest. I have high hopes for the PH military,

      I am hoping one day I could be truly proud of the men and women in uniform. I was

      hoping with the modernization, they can turn things around, I was hoping the old ways

      of the military will come to pass.

      But then I hear news of "re-alignment" and I'm not only back at Square One, but

      rather, I'm a few hundred squares back.

      The audacity in the organization is almost-Binay like, and that drains me of hope. So

      don't lecture anyone about inspiration when the organization reeks a foul smell. When

      you smell shit, do you get inspired?

      No? I thought so.

      For the rest of your post, I do agree with you to some extent that what should be

      kept secret is the deployment of assets. I probably overreacted because I was really

      upset. LOL.

      However, if there's a way they could hide information, you hide it. You are the

      military and you have the right do so for the nation's security.

      At this point however, I might opt for everything to be transparent. Secrecy is good,

      but secrecy may lead to more inefficiency, incompetence and corruption that we are

      having right now (as if we haven't have enough already).

      The enemy is within our ranks people. No offense to the insurgents, they haven't made

      significant dents to the detriment of the AFP as much as the AFP's own officials.

      - Neo

      Delete
  20. I have made comment twice on this blog that RP should go for these land based missile systems。 It would be better rather than chassing after those big ticket ship items. What ever happened to the Bong 1 and 2 Missile systems.

    I also see various new assets coming on line it may take time to be able to fully integrate each one.

    I think the RP government should not sell out there kins man nor country out to any one. Such slow pace of defense upgrade may make any investor wan to write of RP as being a half baked nation full of inept officials. But I don't think this is the case.

    I don't know why any thing even sport events oversees requires the army captains to get a cut of the government funds from team players.

    Maybe all involved should examine their hearts and see how they wish to be remembered.

    Just think the demise of this blog in the future is not the readership or quality of material but on the lack of anything concrete happening due to a bad RP government. Instead of God bless America should be God Bless RP>

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was initially impress with President Aquino but since the purchase of the brand new frigates that our navy really needs did not seem to have materialize i am now disappointed. Six years is a long time for him to change a lot of things but his effort have been half hearted. The problem is we expect so little of him as well because we are comparing him to previous corrupt presidents. What we should have been doing is comparing his efforts with the actions of other leaders in the region. Vietnam and other smaller countries have been able to field brand new warships, submarines and fighter jets in the past six years. It is only in our country that everything seems to run slow. There is no sense of urgency even when large parts of our territorial waters have been annexed already by the Chinese. Really, we should expect more of our leaders...

    ReplyDelete
  22. If AFP modernization is to move forward at a fast pace, we need a political leader who openly express extreme nationalism & patriotism by attacking China verbally for it’s expansionist aggression and whose prioriy is to provide the biggest budget allocation to arms procurement for the AFP. Most of the presidential aspirants are just attacking each other’s failures, mismanagement, incompetence & corrupt practics. We need a leader who has the character and attitude of the likes of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Shinzō Abe and Xi Jinping. We don’t need weak leaders like Pnoy & Obama.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-z4H9HiLM

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dnd should stop wasting time, China is about to implement plan on 2nd island chain. Pla-n frigates and submarines will be in Phl EEZ east of Cagayan.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think we are capable of producing our own missiles. During the late Ferdinand Marcos regime, he initiated the santa Barbara project which is a missile project and they actually had a prototype and this was way back in the 80s I believe. so why not ask the gov't Arsenal of the AFP design and make one then mass produce it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Iriberri is like rubbing salt on a wound. And he is rubbing it from within our own AFP.. no wonder we are at this situation.
    Sir Max the threat is at the West Philippine sea. Masinloc may be the nearest but what land based AShms would reach recto bank if its positioned in Palawan? Would the whole procurement be useless unless its the Brahmos. Or are they planning to have this put in one one of our claimed island? Can these land based system be put on a cargo ship like the klub-k system? -FluFlu

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. this maybe out of topic but the Frigrates can be postponed. I prefer acquiring submarines first. Frigrates is no match to the 50 plus Chinese subs roaming the SCS. one torpedo can sunk one frigrate without a challenge at all.

    ReplyDelete
  28. To acquire a shorebased Missile System must align to a very robust, reliable, effitient, effective, and secured C4I. Shorebased missile system alone is not enough just to connect with National Coast Watch System. We do not have still in place EWS and Cyberwarfare System. 21st Century warfare you needs billion of dollars to defend our Archipelagic Island and shorelines. Taiwan has put emphasis of $6B for their shorebased C4I systems. Do you think the four mobile SBMS is enough to defend our Islands against UAV and Manned Aircraft and Long Range Bombers hundreds in numbers tp include thousands civilians vessels can be converted with ASM and Shorebased Launching platforms. Let us be systematic and strategic in making our analysis the real threats out there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is more "cost-effective" to procure mobile ASM missiles (ex. $124-km range, $1.2M Harpoon) launched from shore against Chinese naval warships. If launched from an MRF or from a Frigate, it will be more expensive bec. you need to buy the MRF & Frigate platforms to launch it while land mobile launchers are cheaper.

      Delete
    2. Yes it is cheaper to have land base systems but the problem with having only land base weapons is that their mobility limited by the space at which they operate. Chinese warships will just stay out of reach and then we can't target them and they can reposition themselves for better striking position. Having fighter jets and warships and if possible even submarines complicates the enemies plans for they know that a strike could happen anywhere. It gives our war planners more options for response and retaliation. Why do you think Vietnam bought six submarines of which 4 had already been delivered. If our leaders showed more concern with our security we could have done the same. Remember our economy is bigger than other countries and yet we are so far behind in terms of military capability. Truly a sad case... Really we should choose leaders who would uplift national pride...

      Delete
    3. Long-range subsonic & supersonic cruise missiles like the 700-1,350 nm range Tomahawk or 190-310-mi Brahmos are more than enough to cover our EEZ zone and hit Chinese-occupied reefs and naval ships entering our EEZ and even outside the edge of EEZ w/o the need for MRFs, frigates or submarines. We can buy missiles in greater quantities w/our limited military budget and China will be more afraid sending their warships inside our EEZ from a missile attack than engaging our PN ships w/c is very easy to neutralize & decimate.

      Delete
  29. With due respect!, "MaxDefense will respect any decision by the DND or AFP to take down the blog entry should they find it too revealing."

    You keep secret new technology until the right time, you keep secret new discoveries until the right time, you keep adventurism plans until the right time. Or you keep secret hidden personal agendas....

    Keeping secret a country's military purchases can be done but will not be a secret after sales completion especially to an entity/organization whom you will be in a defensive posture. The other side only need to know the company who produces the military item(s) you are buying and know the production count or know who to corrupt within that company or suppliers of that company, then create an analytical deduction of unknown variables, fill in the blanks -- YOU GET THE SECRET. NOT 100% but this gives a credible data to make sure that the other side will be ready for you when they come....

    Protect and keep secret the deployment details, warhead used, set protocols, personnel to be trained. But not general information. MAXDEFENSE is a go-to site for those who can't rely on local news feed for expert military related opinion/clarification. The MAXDEFENSE site is a concise information of what development are happening in the AFP, saves time counter checking the truth from a ton of websites just to get bits and pieces about the Philippines military and on some cases an idea of it's expenditures (truth).

    To the AFP/DND generals and other non-military decision makers, who do you think your enemies are?, really. Unless you just want to keep your deals out of the taxpayer's scrutiny. This is the internet era, you are insulting the Filipino people if you think general information is top secret information.

    -freemindonline

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sir Max LORA SRBM has GPS/INS & terminal TV guidance . It might have enough accuracy to hit moving targets http://missilethreat.com/missiles/lora/

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is a good read, Max, albeit disappointing. It seems that the Generals don't have good history subjects. I'm just wondering, why does the SBMS be an Army project while its the Navy that is mandated to protect the seas? Simply because its a land based system? It should be intended as anti-ship. defense isn't it? Same goes with the SAM system it should be the Air Force's responsibility. As it seems to me, IMHO, the Phil. military is not just as weak as it looks, but also in perfect disarray. What would you expect from an army general request for shore-based defense, of course, it must be able to double as land bombardment system. Multi-tasking. What we need is a good sea denial strategy for our short term goal. This could be done alongside with force protection requirements. If these are all the defensive systems are em-placed, then proceed to the next level which is area control. This was successfully done by many countries worldwide throughout history.The Philippines is the largest barrier to the Pacific. Don't our strategist see this?
    -Panzer Rat

    ReplyDelete
  32. Well,Catapang will want his "pabaon" when he retires, Iriberri needs his endorsement and also earn a lot in the process while BS Aquino needs funds for LP elections spending next year. Government to government agreements don't give them what they want. All for the sake of a fu(k!ng minimum deterrence!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hopeless na talaga itong bansa natin sa mga lider natin na pulpol nakakaingit ang lider ng vietnam mahal nila ang bansa nila dito puro kickback ang atupag hay naku kelan kaya tayo makakaahon?

    ReplyDelete
  34. the report stating that the frigrates had been cancelled and the shore based missile from Israel may well be due to the now heavy presence of US forces in the country. but even with this, the government should still acquire the frigrates and missiles as force multiplier.

    ReplyDelete
  35. these treasonous idiots should be shot by firing squad!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish that too but unfortunately our countrymen seem to admire corrupt people...

      Delete
  36. I was frustrated when this issue came about. I thought that this is going smoothly due to government to government deal. But in the end this would happen. Could it be that there was an issue on acquiring SBMS due to a treaty or an arms agreement that it was approved to be re-aligned. Or is there an issue, where US is somehow dictating what defense system this country must have or haven't ? Or US is offering some excess Missile System that they have used on previous operations. Just what happened to the LRPA project that DND is pursuing that in the end, we have been offered some surplus JSDF P3 Orions.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I agree that we should re-instate the death penalty but only for corrupt government officials. Re-allignment, Reprioritization or whatever nice terminology they use it is still questionable and it should not be done. I use to admire Secretary Gazmin but with these recent developments i am so disappointed with him. He has no shame!!! Secretary Gazmin, General Catapang and General Iriberri should all face graft charges and prison sentences for derailing the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.....

    ReplyDelete
  38. Re-prioritization is another way of saying that they have realigned the budget intended for shore based missile system. This is just disappointing on so many levels and it shouldn't have happened. I thought there were strict rules governing the purchase of military assets for territorial defense. So we have to wait for the second horizon to realize the modernization of our Armed Forces?? Corruption also has a lot of synonyms like dishonesty, deception, duplicity, manipulation, double dealing, misrepresentation and so on. Their definitions may vary but they all mean one thing and that is BAD!!!!! Mr. Max i think its time the we write as a concerned citizen and send scathing letters to our leaders and voice our displeasure over this corrupt conduct...

    ReplyDelete
  39. it is high time for these generals to be branded as traitors and should be tried accordingly! all they love are their pockets, not their country. if we let these corrupt generals have their way, we might wake up someday to a west philippine sea teeming with chinese naval vessels with their army of gas/oil rigs and civilian fishing boats marauding our riches, as we watch helplessly.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Simple mga kabayan..STUPIDO ang mga nasa DNd/AFP planning...Sana hindi nila pagsisishan ang ginawa nila na re-alignment ng SBMS para sa mga sniper rifles and helmets. Kung sabagay hindi nga nila ma upgrade at malagyan iyong dalawang GDP frigate na nakuha natin sa US. SOBRANG NAKAKA FRUSTRATE!!!!!!!!! MGA BWISIT....

    ReplyDelete
  41. malamang may kasamang pagbabanta yung tatlong kumag nung inilapit nila kay panot yung 'realignment'...1 sec def at 2 top generals...kukuro-kuko....hehehe ika siguro ni panot OK approved!!! nanginginig pa...

    ReplyDelete
  42. The DND's PR people are working their butt's off just to appease us as if we are little kids. Promising submarines and missiles on a bigger budget. Even going as far as re-wording re-alignment with re-prioritization, changing negotiations to proposals.

    Hindi na masama loob ko na makukuha ng China ang KIG, ganun talaga eh, nagpabaya tayo. Pero kina-kasama ng loob ko eh yung mga taong na-atasan protektahan ang Pilipinas eh walang inuna kundi mga sarili nila. At nakaka-lungkot isipin na makaka-lusot mga kaga-guhan nila.

    Kawawang Pilipinas.

    - Neo

    ReplyDelete
  43. so what is the government and DOJ and Malacanang waiting for. they should charge this generals and officials for realigning their pockets. If they don't get prosecuted then how are we as a nation be serious in curbing corruption. there should be a crackdown and we need quick justice with results and punishment and not a decade of investigation with no results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. paano makakasuhan yan e may approval "in principle' nga daw ni panot yung realignment e...isama si panot sa kaso kung ganun ?!?!?

      Delete
  44. Unitil now with don't have even a single missile. Almost all countries have this. This missile project is a government to government project that's why they have to re-align the project so that they can have enough funds for their pocket. Crazy government!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Why cancel the missile project? We need these very badly! The 2 helicopters (Anti submarine) would be better to be re-align because it's very expensive costing more than 5 billion pesos. Or buy at least 50 fast attack boat instead of 2 helicopters.

    ReplyDelete
  46. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES. Let pray for the best. we are in the mercy of China.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Placing 24 SAM/SSM/ASM missile batteries along the length of Palawan Island will transform the island into an unsinkable carrier capable of wiping out all the Chinese-occupied Spratly Island reefs and intruding naval ships inside our EEZ.

    ReplyDelete
  48. @ AnonymousJuly 10, 2015 at 9:55 AM....Unsinkable Missile Carrier that is...

    ReplyDelete
  49. When you say credible deterrent is the SBMD of the PA is worth to defend our coastals/islands with the PhP6B plus budget alloted?

    With this information being openly discuss then our foe just send a long range aircraft bombers with LACMs and satellite systems integrated into it with EWS escort and 4.5 generation fighter aircrafts and to include their Electromagnetic Pulse Technology to fry like egg the systems. Is necessary that the SBMD system must have a medium range SAM with EWS and Cyber warfare systems as part of real capability deterrent to be able to defend our islands and to be able to destroy the incoming air and surface threats. Recently one of the coastal missile defend system of the european country were hacked through cyberwarfare.

    The good rationally, why not ask our President to ask an additional funding for the existing fund for SBMD system together with Philippine Navy and Philippine Airforce as part of secure, reliable, effetive and efficient C4I system for joint operation because war is a joint operation task force in order to have a really a credible deterrent. Why in a hurry if the present budget is not enough to defend our islands. I think our leaders explain candidly to the President the pros and cons of the project. SBMD alone is not a deterrent platform without the Philippine Navy and PAF as part of joint operation in any eventuality. If this is the case of our acquisiiton, our foe would just study our vulnerability in joint inter-operability.

    Remember Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam they alloted billion of dollars for the purchase of really deterrent warfare platforms for offensive and defensive.

    For internal security, ask additional budget for the protection of our troops against hybrid warfare.

    Remember in warfare, the foe would always know first the enemy's weakness and strength prior deployment of the warfare platforms.

    So, is high time not to divulge this very sensitive procurement of warfare platform assets because our foe just laughing us.

    ReplyDelete
  50. what a hell !!!! so many assuming brilliant in AFP...we have a clear external threat and still AFP general are not thinking the good of the whole Filipino people...you are there to protect our nation and we are paying high taxes for your stupid shit plan...if you cannot built a formidable and dangerous philippine armed forces then forget about spratly islands... you general are once a private and you know the mistakes of the past AFP leader. so please stop the old annomalies..we need to stand as a very strong nation with a powerful defense...stop thingking corruption...prioritize our ill fated external defense...the war is not about how strong is our philippine army its about how strong is our defense capability...so think big general...dont be stupid....

    ReplyDelete
  51. what we really need first is:

    a group of people or vigilante that can assassinate the corrupt government and military officials. LOL

    then.. all max defense followers here can fulfill the dreams that they wanted to our nation.

    BECAUSE as long as the corrupt government and military officials are still in their position there will be NO government and military will in our country regarding our military modernization project. MAHINA PA SA PAGONG ANG KILOS NG ATING GOBYERNO PARA SA MGA PANGARAP NATIN MAGING MODERNO SA KAGAMITAN NG MILITARY,AIR FORCE AND NAVY..INCLUDING COASTGUARD.

    TANDA ENRILE....a military govt.
    --- ano ang nagawa sa military??? WALA

    FORMER PRES. GONGGONG FIDEL RAMOS....a military official
    --- ano ang nagawa sa military??? WALA

    FORMER SENATOR BIAZON------ a military officials
    ------ ano nagawa sa military???? WALA

    SO SABIHIN NIYO...MGA MILITARY NA YAN BY THEMSELVES DAPAT I-PRARIORITIES NILA ANG MGA KASAMAHAN NILA KASI ALAM NILA KUNG ANO ANG KULANG NG MILITARY NGAUN...MAY NAGAWA BA SILA??? WALA WALA WALA..

    ANG GINAWA LANG NILA MAGNAKAW SA BANSA PARA SA PANSARILING INTEREST.


    MASAKIT MAN PAKINGGAN O BASAHIN

    WAG NA KAYO MANGARAP NG DI KAYA ABUTIN KASI NAKAKAHIYANG ISIPIN NA HANGGANG PANGARAP NALANG TAYO..

    ANG MGA SUGGESTION NIYO NA SUBRANG MATAAS BAWAS BAWASAN NALANG NINYO...BE REALISTIC

    1. SUBMARINE....still a dream
    2. MISSILE SYSTEM......still a dream/ on cancellation rumors
    as for now
    3. JAS-39 GRIPPEN........still a dream
    we didn't master yet the maneuver of
    our FA-50..still a lot of practice we
    needed.
    4. HEAVY ATTACK HELICOPTER....still a dream
    5. FRIGATE.........still a dream...basis that SUBMARINE is a big
    joke kind of suggestion.

    AS OF NOW I SEE OUR COUNTRY PHILIPPINES AS THE BIGGEST DUMB BEGGING COUNTRY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

    ReplyDelete
  52. One thing that we can agree on, is that the U.S. should not be in your country with a "Permanent" military presence at any time in the future, as their presence only breeds prostitution, crime, graft & corruption in the form of misuse of USAID, & local politicians taking control of such aid & using it to propel their selves into continuous power.
    The Philippines will never be able to compete with either China or the U.S. in terms of military strength, primarily because your country lacks the national will to do so, corruption will never go away, & there will never be available funding to support such a military even if there was the will to do so.
    As China gets closer & closer to your doorstep (Palawan, Zambales, etc.), the threat of an actual invasion or coopting of your natural resources increases dramatically. Fact: The Philippines cannot rely upon the U.S. to fight their battles/wars for them & neither would the American people support such military adventurism, especially in light of our past experiences with your country, as far as basing agreements.
    What I would offer, in the form of a proposal, which would have to be pursued by Filipinos, is to use what assets you actually have available in order to defend your own country:
    1. Establish a 3-week (21-training days) "RECONDO" School, at Fort Magsaysay, located in Palayan, Nueva Ecija.
    (Recondo: LRRPs in the 101st Airborne) http://www.amazon.com/Recondo-LRRPs-Airborne-Larry-Chambers/dp/0891418407
    a. Request training assistance from PACOM (Free & temporary).

    2. Establish a "Guerrilla Militia Headquarters," adjacent to the RECONDO School.
    a. Request advisory assistance from PACOM (Free & temporary).
    3. Establish “Guerrilla Militia Battalions,” in each province, to fall under the political leadership of the elected Governor, Tactical leadership of an assigned AFP Special Forces Team, & advised by a U.S. SOCOM designated, 12-man/woman, "Unconventional Warfare Detachment," on TDY status &rotated every six months (for as long as the Philippines desires them to be there in order to assist in standing up these battalions).
    4. Continuously run RECONDO classes year-round, training approximately 144 prospective Guerrillas (12-twelve man/woman teams) from the same province, per class. The training cycles will rotate between provinces, accepting 144 prospective Guerrillas from a new province each class, until each province has attained an initial goal of 1,200 Guerrillas in their province’s Guerrilla Militia Battalion.
    5. The Guerrilla’s primary weapon will be a 12 gauge single-barrel shotgun (New England Tracker II Slug Shotgun SB1014, $169.66.
    http://www.hinterlandoutfitter...
    w/Scavenger Kit - 12 Gauge
    http://www.gunadapters.com/cat... ; to be maintained as the Provincial Governor dictates.
    6. Since this will be a Guerrilla Militia Battalion, there will be NO uniforms, or unit type indicators. Besides the weapons, all Guerrilla issued items will be sourced from inside of the Philippines. However, the Unconventional Warfare Detachments may provide additional equipment from time-to-time, as it becomes available.
    7. Battalion assemblies, payment, equipment stocks/issue, will be the responsibility of the Provincial Governor. Tactical deployment for training & during the time of war will fall under the AFP Special Forces Teams, as directed by the Militia Headquarters.
    8. Specialized training, equipment & missions will depend upon province location, such as an amphibious capability.
    9. The eventual size of the “Guerrilla Militia Battalions,” for each province, will be determined by the Governor, but will never fall below 1,200 guerrillas.

    Anyway, it is a suggestion as to how the Philippines might use what its current assets/strengths are to create its very own Guerrilla force, which worked so well during WWII, with very limited outside assistance.

    Good luck...

    ReplyDelete
  53. Whether we like it or not, US military presence is needed as we are incapable of taking on China, secondly, the people, especially the youth would never be willing to take guerilla warfare classes and we would see thousands of sissy protesters against the guerilla warfare classes on the street because they want freedom

    ReplyDelete
  54. just a rookie here......just curious, does it mean that all those defense procurement projects are not true including those news about japan's transfer of old techs like subs, warship and aircraft?

    ReplyDelete
  55. ...and mr.max, what about the missile that was developed during marcos' time heard about that it was reactivated..(manilalivewire.com)...was it true or is it just another hearsay?......please tell me about these things.....

    ReplyDelete
  56. ...and what about those tanks from japan. heard about that PA was looking on it for procurement..is it true?

    ReplyDelete
  57. and what about the AW-159, is it a dream or coming?

    ReplyDelete
  58. isa pa po, what about the "incheon" frigate from SOKOR, is it true?

    ReplyDelete

Philippine Navy Modernization Projects

Philippine Air Force Modernization Projects