The aircraft could also be used as a Very Very Important Person (VVIP) transport aircraft when necessary, as the current fleet used by the PAF are in need of replacement ASAP due to old age.
Thus the Command & Control Fixed-Wing Aircraft acquisition project was approved as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.
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| MaxDefense received information that the project was awarded to Gulfstream Aerospace for the Gulfstream G280 business jet. This is surprising since the aircraft is too small than what we have been expecting. Photo taken from Gulfstream Aerospace's website. |
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| The EADS-CASA C-295 tactical transport aircraft is expected to be delivered by Airbus Defence and Space for the PAF's Command and Control Fixed Wing Turboprop Aircraft acquisition project. Photo taken from Airbus' website. |
The new aircraft are also expected to replace the ageing Fokker F-27 Friendship turboprop VIP aircraft, and the Fokker F-28 Fellowship jet VIP aircraft currently operated by the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing based in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
Both aircraft have been in service for several decades and should have been replaced with a new aircraft decades ago. Due to their age, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte prefers to use private aircraft owned by friends or associates instead of the PAF service aircraft.
Being Command and Control platforms, these aircraft are expected to be equipped with extensive communications radio and computer equipment, and may also be connected to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) system being built-up by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as all 3 major services including the PAF.
These assets could be useful allowing the president or other government leaders to be provided with real-time information which can be used to provide guidance and direction to field commanders on the ground.
Project Summary:
Command & Control Fixed-Wing Aircraft Acquisition Project
Note: edit as of 02 July 2019
* End User: Philippine Air Force (250th Presidential Airlift Wing)
* Quantity: Turboprop: 1 aircraft
Jet: 1 aircraft
* Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP
* Project ABC: Turboprop: Php1,800,000,000.00
Jet: Php2,000,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement (Government-to-Government)
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund, to be paid via Multi-Year Obligatory Allocations (MYOA).
* SARO Release: TBA
* Winning Proponent: Turboprop: Airbus Defence and Space S.A.
Jet: Gulfstream Aerospace
* Product for Delivery: Turboprop: Airbus-CASA C-295M
Jet: Gulfstream G280
* Contract Price: Turboprop: €28,807,000.00
Jet: TBA
* First post by MaxDefense: 25 October 2018
* MaxDefense Searching Hastag/s: Turboprop: #PAFC2TurbopropAircraftAcquisition
Jet: #PAFC2JetAircraftAcquisition
* Status: Turboprop: for delivery by July-August 2019.
Jet: awaiting delivery, expected by 2020.
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U P D A T E S:
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16 October 2018:
The DND released the Notice of Award (NOA) of the Command & Control Fixed Wing Turboprop Aircraft acquisition project, and was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space S.A. of Spain, with a corresponding control price of €28,807,000.00.
The NOA was received by Airbus Defence's local representative on 18 October 2019.
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The NOA for the Command and Control Fixed Wing Turobprop Aircraft acquisition project, as awarded to Airbus Defence and Space S.A. of Spain. Photo taken from the DND's website, |
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25 October 2018:
MaxDefense posted an update on our Facebook page on the awarding of the Command & Control Fixed Wing Turboprop Aircraft project to Airbus Defence and Space.
MaxDefense believes will supply the Airbus-CASA C-295 tactical transport aircraft as the base platform, as the price range is close to that of the previous contract the DND had with Airbus Defence and Space on the acquisition of Medium Lift Fixed Wing Transport Aircraft during the Horizon 1 phase.
This also means that the aircraft will be enjoying a level of commonality and compatibility with the three C-295M tactical transport aircraft already in service with the PAF's 220th Airlift Wing.
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23 December 2018:
During the change of command ceremonies for the Philippine Air Force, outgoing chief Lt.Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar highlighted the expected deliveries for the PAF for 2019. All of the flying assets highlighted in the list were already discussed by MaxDefense in the past, considering our accurate monitoring of RAFPMP projects based directly from AFP and DND records.
Among those he mentioned and listed was the 2 fixed wing Command and Control aircraft - one will be turboprop powered, which was awarded to Airbus Defense-CASA last October 2018 with the C-295Mp aircraft. One will be jet powered, which was said to be awarded recently and MaxDefense will discuss this separately soon. The aircraft will also act as the Presidential Aircraft and will replace the ageing Fokker F27 and F28 in the PAF's 250th Presidential Airlift Wing.
Report from Philippine Daily Inquirer can be accessed HERE.
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01 July 2019:
MaxDefense received information from an insider that the PAF's Command and Control Fixed Wing Jet Aircraft was awarded to American aviation company Gulfstream Aerospace, which will supply a brand new Gulfstream G280 business jet.
Our concern is more on the aircraft's size, considering the budget allows for the acquisition of a larger business jet, probably the size of the Gulfstream 500 or 600 which is longer, wider, and has a longer range than the small G280.
Upon checking from aviation sources, a brand new Gulfstream G500 costs far less than the ABC allocated of Php2 billion, and may still have allowance to customize it to allow Command and Control and connectivity to the AFP's C4ISTAR system.
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| The Gulfstream G280, the smallest business jet in Gulfstream's range. Credits to original source of photo. |
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First edit and release: 29 April 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines
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