Shopping Spree Plans of the Philippine National Police for October 2018

It’s a busy month for the Philippine National Police this October 2018, as they are preparing for several tenders for weapons, vehicles, force protection equipment and support equipment to be used by the different units of the police force, including the vaunted PNP Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) which is the combat unit of the police.

It is understood that the PNP is undergoing a major modernization phase wherein materiel procurement and improvement are given priority to allow the police force to meet its needs in terms of law enforcement, as well as internal security and counter-terrorism capabilities. This is especially important as the PNP is slowly being transition again to be the foremost armed agency in charge of internal security against terrorist and rebel groups, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines is making its own changes to shift to territorial defense.

The PNP ordered 4 units of Airbus H125 helicopters in 2 separate contracts of 2 units each, in earlier biddings for the Single Turbine Engine Helicopter acquisition. Another 3 is being tendered this October 2018.
Photo from Airbus Helicopters.

The national government's focus of also improving the capability on drug enforcement and anti-narcotics, law enforcement within the internal waters, and improving existing capabilities are also reasons for this drive to improve.

It appears that the national government was able to release a sizeable amount of funding to allow the PNP to immediately conduct the acquisition process, mostly through bidding as required by Philippine procurement laws, and almost all of them happening this month.

MaxDefense lists down the most relevant acquisitions to be made this October, based on information from the PNP's own website, the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), and from MaxDefense sources who were willing to provide us information about the acquisitions.



Acquisition Plans for October 2018:

MaxDefense will divide this into 3 categories:

A. Vehicles;
B. Weapon Systems;
C. Force Protection Equipment;
D. Support Equipment

Each category is also divided into 2 acquiring groups: the Nation Headquarters, and the Special Action Force, as they both have separate acquisition teams, although the National Headquarters can also acquire on behalf of the Special Action Force. This is for ease of classifying the use of each project.


A. Vehicles:

For the National Headquarters:

1. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-37G: 3 units Single-Engine Turbine Helicopters, with an ABC of Php780,000,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-34G: 22 units of 22-meter High Speed Tactical Watercraft, with an ABC of Php297,000,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-33G: 34 units of brand new Utility Trucks, with an ABC of Php132,600,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

4. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-35G: 95 units of 4x4 Pick-up Trucks, with an ABC of Php161,500,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

5. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-36G: 581 units of 125cc Motorcycles, with an ABC of Php54,614,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

6. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-38G: 19 units of brand new Unmarked Utility Vans; with an ABC of Php29,830,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;


The Single-Engine Turbine Helicopter acquisition is an multi-bidding acquisition that is ongoing for more than a year now, which also saw the awarding of 2 contracts to Airbus Helicopters, which will supply 4 units of their H125 Ecureuil helicopter to the PNP’s Air Unit (now a part of the PNP Special Action Force). MaxDefense believes that Airbus Helicopters currently hold the advantage for this project due to commonality and compatibility concerns, unless other bidders will meet the specs while dropping their price lower than Airbus Helicopters.

The PNP is in need of several helicopters to be assigned to different cities in the Philippines. This is where the Single-Engine Turbine helicopter would be handy, as the PNP plans to acquire more for distribution.
Photo taken from Airbus' brochure taken from ADAS 2018.

The High Speed Tactical Watercraft is an interesting project for the PNP’s Maritime Group, as they build up their small boat fleet. The requirement is for a boat which is at least 40 feet long, made of fiberglass and stepped hull design, can seat 12 people, and has a maximum speed of at least 40 knots. It should also have mounts for a forward 50-caliber machine gun and two 7.62mm light machine gun aft. It should also come with its own trailer. The last bidding for such product was for 7 units, which was awarded to the Joint Venture of Als Marine Center Corporation and FB Design srl of Italy, and another contract for 21 units was awarded to Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation and Safehull Marine Technologies Inc.

Above is the standard specs issued by NAPOLCOM for the High Speed Tactical Watercraft, which is 40 feet long. Some of the acquisition for 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns and 7.62mm light machine guns were intended for these boats, some of which were awarded to Promech Corp. and Als Marine in recent biddings.
Photo taken from PNP's specs.

The PNP recently revised their acquisition of utility trucks and standardizing the brand new acquisitions by using a simpler specs. Previously the specs for brand new and used trucks are the same and based on the military 2 ½-ton 6x6 trucks. The latest acquisition made by the PNP were for 6x6 trucks from made by German automotive company MAN.

Trucks from German truckmaker MAN are becoming the standard trucks of the PNP. And apparently these are tough trucks, and are said to be even better than what the AFP is using.
Credits to owner of photo.

B. Weapons:

For the National Headquarters:

1. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-25G Lot 1: 17,353 units of Striker Fired 9mm Pistols, with an ABC of Php463,325,100.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-26G Lot 2: 10,001 units of Striker Fired 9mm Pistols, with an ABC of Php264,026,400.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-27G Lot 1: 7,700 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles, with an ABC of Php712,250,000.00;

4. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-28G Lot 2: 5,767 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles, with an ABC of Php533,477,500.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

5. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-29G: 28 units Heavy Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php61,600,000.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

6. Public Bidding No PNP-18-30G: 205 units of 5.56mm Light Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php134,641,950, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

7. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-31G: 250 units of 7.62mm Light Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php300,000,000.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;



For PNP-Special Action Force:

1. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-73: 288 units of Sniper Rifle Cal. 5.56mm with Rifle Scope and Clip-on Thermal Scope, with an ABC of Php302,400,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-72: 11 units Sniper Rifle Cal.50 with Thermal Scope and Basic Load Ammunition, with an ABC of Php24,780,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-75: 148 units of Multi-Grenade Launcher (MGL) 40mm, with an ABC of Php81,770,000.00, bid opening on 10 October 2018;

4. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-07: 1,000 units of Flashbangs and 378 units of Teargas Grenades, with an ABC of Php3,857,000.00, bid opening on 10 October 2018;

5. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-06: 25 units of 7.62mm Light Machine Gun with Basic Ammo Link, with an ABC of Php21,250,000.00, bid opening on 10 October 2018;

6. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-79: 26 units of Rocket Launcher and Basic Load, with an ABC of Php32,761,757.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018;

7. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-77 : 1 lot of Crew Served Weapon and Ammunition, with an ABC of Php57,275,000.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018.

For the 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles, previously there were at least 2 proponents that won separate contracts for similar projects. One was awarded to Armscor Global Defense with the Israeli-made Emtan MZ-4 5.56mm rifle, and another contract was awarded to the Joint Venture of R. Espineli Trading and Israel Weapons Industries with the IWI Galil Ace 5.56mm rifle.

PNP Chief Dir.Gen. Oscar Albayalde tries on the IWI Galil ACE-N 22 (top) and Emtan MZ-4P (above) 5.56x45mm rifles, which were acquired by the PNP lately. This is to replace the cancelled order for 5.56x45mm rifles from SIG SAUER after the US government rejected the release of export licenses for small arms bound for the PNP.
Photos taken from PNP's official FB page.

For the Striker Fired 9mm Pistols, previous winners in similar bids held several months ago includes the Joint Venture of R. Espineli Trading and Israel Weapons Industries with the IWI Masada 9mm pistol, the Joint Venture of Nashe Enterprises and Samsun Yurt Savunma Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. of Turkey with the SYS Canik TP9 9mm pistol, and Trust Trade with the Taurus TS9 9mm pistol.

Thousands of IWI Masada (top) and SYS Canik TP9 (above) 9mm striker fired pistols were delivered to the PNP lately. These are alternative pistol models to the Glock 17 Gen 4 already issued to the PNP as early as 2013.
Photos taken from PNP's FB page.

Apparently the US government has eased the export license restrictions of firearms for the PNP, which means Glock USA and Sig Sauer USA could probably be back in the market after a short hiatus. MaxDefense expects them to come strong if the restrictions are indeed lifted by the US government.

For 7.62mm Machine Guns, there were several awards made in 2017 and 2018 totalling 370 units, all of which resulted in the delivery of IWI Negev NG-7 machine guns. The last 42 units delivered are for the PNP-Maritime Group, 2 units to be mounted at the rear of the High Speed Tactical Watercrafts. The rest are probably for the PNP Regional Public Safety Battalions and the Special Action Force.

The IWI Negev machine gun, above is the NG-7 7.62mm model. The PNP has acquired both the 5.56mm and 7.62mm model divided into several contracts. With only a few units supposed to use them, the PNP's acquisition is way higher than the Philippine Army in terms of user to acquisition ratio.
Photo taken from PNP's official FB page.

The Crew Served Weapon appears to be a 60mm Ultralight Commando Mortar with ammunition for them. This is the second time that the PNP-SAF is ordering such weapon system, as they have already awarded one last year, and is expected to receive 20 units by next month.

MaxDefense has not confirmed yet the exact model of the 60mm Ultralight Commando Mortar that the PNP ordered, but we believe its possible to the Czech-made ANTOS.
Photo taken from MSN's website.

There are also 2 types of weapons in the list the PNP-SAF, or even the PNP in general is acquiring for the first time: the Rocket Launcher and the Multi Grenade Launchers

The Rocket Launcher acquisition according to specs is for an RPG-7 type weapon, similar to those already in use by the Philippine Army. Like the PA, the PNP-SAF uses the 90mm recoilless rifle as their primary assault weapon, and the reason for acquiring the RPG-7 type weapon to replace it is similar to the reasons made by the Army – cheap, weighs far lighter, ammunition is easy to acquire, and ease of use

An example of the RPG-7 and 40mm Multi-Grenade Launcher which the PNP-SAF could be looking for.
Credits to photo source.

C. Force Protection Equipment:

For National Headquarters:

1. Public Bidding No. PMP-18-32G: 7,924 units of Enhanced Combat Helmet Level III, with an ABC of Php564,536,448.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-40G: 7,743 units of Undershirt Vest Level III-A, with an ABC of Php193,575,000.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-39G: 3,978 units of Enhanced Combat Helmet Level III, with an ABC of Php282,438,000.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018;



For PNP-Special Action Force:

1. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018- : 144 units Tactical Gas Mask with Canister, with an ABC of Php1,152,000.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-76: 1,631 units Tactical Vest, with an ABC of Php79,618,500.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-71: 1,820 units Ballistic Helmet, with an ABC of Php43,442,960.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;


Previously, the award for some contracts for the acquisition of Enhanced Combat Helmet Level III were awarded to Armscor Global Defense, which will supply the 3M Ceradyne Combat II helmet, many of which will arrive this or next month according to Armscor.

Armscor Global Defense is scheduled to deliver the 3M Combat II enhanced combat helmet in a few weeks time, as part of earlier orders. They are expected to join the tender again for the next batch of helmet requirements.
Photo taken from 3M's website.

D. Support Equipment:

For National Headquarters:

1. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-41G: 51 units of Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, with an ABC of Php6,247,500.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-42G: 200 units of HF/SSB Manpack Radios, with an ABC of Php220,000,000.00, bid opening on 23 October 2018;

3. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-43G:  400 units of HF/SSB Base Radios, with an ABC of Php204,000,000.00, bid opening on 23 October 2018;

4. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-44G: 397 units of VHF Lowband Hand-held Radios, with an ABC of Php413,277,000.00, bid opening on 23 October 2018.



For PNP-Special Action Force:

1. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-80: 1 lot of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Equipment, with an ABC of Php, 6,589,500.00, bid opening on 18 October 2018;

2. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-70: 35 units Spotting Scopes, with an ABC of Php9,036,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;
3. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-74: 1 lot of EOD Equipment (12 units of Blasting Machine, and 9 units Hook and Line Kit), with an ABC of Php7,591,000.00, bid opening on 16 October 2018;

4. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-67: 1 lot of Search and Rescue (SAR) Equipment, with an ABC of Php12,161,170.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018;

5. Public Bidding No. SAF-2018-68: 1 lot of Communications Equipment (VHF Low Band), with an ABC of Php214,050,000.00, bid opening on 09 October 2018.



The PNP has been acquiring more communications equipment, although it appears to be not military-grade ones similar to what the AFP uses. The problem with this is interoperability between the PNP and AFP, which the AFP's own Chief of Staff confirmed during the recent Senate Hearing for DND's budget. 

It is also surprising that China's Hytera did got several contracts in since 2017 for base, manpack and handheld radio communications equipment, thus their strong presence in the recently concluded ADAS 2018 defense exhibition in Manila.

China's Hytera was recently strong in ADAS 2018, and its because they are already entrenched with supply contracts with the PNP, with several contracts bagged even in 2017.
Photo provided to MaxDefense by Marvin Mancias.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, according to a MaxDefense source, are usually civilian-type quadcopter UAVs that are usually used for amateur or professional videography or photography. It is expected that the bidding for another batch of UAVs will be the same, definitely smaller than the DJI Phantom IV despite its price drop in the commercial market.




Things to Come:

The speed of how the PNP does its acquisitions is surprisingly faster compared even to small arms acquisition made by the AFP. This is very apparent especially on vehicles, as the PNP acquire from homegrown suppliers using commercial off-the-shelf vehicle models like Toyota's rock-soild Hi-Lux pick-up trucks and MAN's trucks. In terms of weapons, delivery is typically made in around 6 months to less than a year, which is quite fast considering export license for the PNP is actually an issue in many Western countries. The use of mostly Israeli small arms like IWI's Galil ACE an Emtan's MZ-4P, have been helpful to the PNP's dilemmas, this is considering Israel is more than willing to sell to the PNP as long as they can pay. 

Some of the bid openings for contracts will be opened as early as this week, and MaxDefense will be monitoring these projects especially on major transport and weapon system acquisition projects. It would be interesting to note what the results would be, considering the bidders joining in most project are the same as before. Its just a matter of who will give a better price while meeting the same specs. Commonality especially on weapons like machine guns, rifles and pistols won't be an issue anymore considering the PNP is using models offered by the same bidders joining the tenders.

MaxDefense expect ore announcements from both the National Headquarters of the PNP, as well as the Special Action Force, for more acquisitions in the coming months. With Pres. Duterte focusing his efforts in bringing up the PNP's capabilities as well as increasing the size of the police force, no doubt that the PNP would be well funded in the next years as long as he is in power.




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U P D A T E S :
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11 October 2018:

The National Headquarters (NHQ) of the Philippine National Police proceeded with the bid openings last 09 October 2018 for several acquisition projects scheduled on that day.

Here are the results of the bidding:

1. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-25G: 17,353 units of Striker Fired 9mm Pistols (Lot 1), with an ABC of Php463,325,100.00:

Lower Bidder: Trust Trade (GIGI Industries): Php320,926,382.00 (Php18,494.00 per unit). Offered the Taurus TS9 pistol;

2nd Lowest: Atlantis: Php352,092,370.00 (Php20,290.00 per unit). Offered the SYS Canik TP9SF pistol;

3rd Lowest: Stone of David: Php398,959,352.40 (Php22,990.80): Offered the CZ P10C pistol;

4th Lowest: R. Espineli Trading: Php399,084,294.00 (Php22,998.00 per unit). Offered the IWI Masada pistol




2. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-26G: 10,001 units of Striker Fired 9mm Pistols (Lot 2), with an ABC of Php264,026,400.00:

Same results as Lot 1, although R. Espineli Trading did not submit a bid.

Lower Bidder: Trust Trade (GIGI Industries). Offered the Taurus TS9 pistol;

2nd Lowest: Atlantis: Offered the SYS Canik TP9SF pistol;


3rd Lowest: Stone of David: Offered the CZ P10C pistol;



3. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-27G: 7,700 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles (Lot 1), with an ABC of Php712,250,000.00:

Lowest Bidder: Armscor Global Defense: Php444,290,000.00 (Php57,700.00 per unit). Offered the GA5 Piston rifle (which MaxDefense believes could be the Emtan MZ-4P);

2nd Lowest Bidder: R. Espineli Trading: Php484,961,000.00 (Php62,981.95 per unit). Offered the IWI Galil ACE-N 22 rifle;

3rd Lowest Bidder: United Defense Manufacturing Corp: Php487,410,000.00 (Php63,300.00 per unit). Offered the S&T Motiv K2C1 rifle;


4th Lowest Bidder: Stone of David Corp: Php625,800,560.00 (Php81,272.80 per unit). Offered the CZ Bren 807 rifle in 5.56x45mm version.



4. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-28G: 5,767 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles (Lot 2), with an ABC of Php533,477,500.00:

Lowest Bidder: Armscor Global Defense: Php343,424,850.00 (Php59,550.00 per unit). Offered the GA5 Piston rifle (which MaxDefense believes is the Emtan MZ-4P);

2nd Lowest Bidder: R. Espineli Trading: Php363,217,194.00 (Php62,982.00 per unit). Offered the IWI Galil ACE-N 22 rifle;

3rd Lowest Bidder: United Defense Manufacturing Corp: Php365,051,100.00 (Php63,300.00 per unit). Offered the S&T Motiv K2C1 rifle;


4th Lowest Bidder: Stone of David Corp: Php468,700,237.60 (Php81,272.80 per rifle). Offered the CZ Bren 807 in 5.56x45mm version.



5. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-29G: 28 units Heavy Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php61,600,000.00:


NO BIDDERS. Bidding considered failed.



6. Public Bidding No PNP-18-30G: 205 units of 5.56mm Light Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php134,641,950:

Lowest Bidder: United Defense Manufacturing Corp: Php94,258,385.00 (Php459,797.00 per unit). Offered the S&T Motiv K3 machine gun;


2nd Lowest Bidder: R. Espineli Trading: Php134,016,823.00 (Php653,740.60 per unit). Offered the IWI Negev NG-5 machine gun.



7. Public Bidding No. PNP-18-31G: 250 units of 7.62mm Light Machine Guns, with an ABC of Php300,000,000.00:

Sole Bidder: R. Espineli Trading: Php299,681,570.00 (Php1,198,766.28 per unit). Offered the IWI Negev NG-7 machine gun.

8. Public Bidding No. PMP-18-32G: 7,924 units of Enhanced Combat Helmet Level III, with an ABC of Php564,536,448.00:

Lowest Bidder: Mars Armor: Php459,275,000.00 (Php57,960.00 per unit)

2nd Lowest Bidder: S&S/Guangzhou China: Php483,311,136.72 (Php61,119.53 per unit);

3rd Lowest Bidder: MKU Ltd /Qualitek India: Php562,604,000.00 (Php71,000.00 per unit).

Disqualified: Total Wellness Pharma / Kyung Chang Industries China. Bid amount not opened anymore.

Other biddings will be covered by MaxDefense and will results will be posted here as updates.