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.
This is part of the Command & Control Fixed-Wing Aircraft acquisition project, which was approved as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.
The Philippine Air Force has selected to use the Gulfstream G280 business jet as the platform for its future C2 jet aircraft.
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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. |
The new aircraft is expected to replace the ageing 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. Due to its 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.
The new asset 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 Jet Aircraft Acquisition Project
Note: edit as of 02 July 2019
* End User: Philippine Air Force (250th Presidential Airlift Wing)
* Quantity: 1 aircraft
* Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP
* Project ABC: Php2,000,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement (Government-to-Government) through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program
* 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: Gulfstream Aerospace (USA)
* Product for Delivery: Gulfstream G280
* Contract Price: US$31,899,999.00 (approx. Php1,658,800,000.00)
* First post by MaxDefense: 25 October 2018
* MaxDefense Searching Hastag/s: #PAFC2JetAircraftAcquisition #PAFG280Acquisition
* Status: Expected delivery by 31 May 2020.
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U P D A T E S:
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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-295M 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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18 September 2019:
The US Department of Defense (DOD) has released a Contract Notice on 17 September 2019, which includes a notice of contract awarding to Gulfstream Aerospace of Savannah, Georgia, for a US$31,899,999.00 firm fixed-price task order for the purchase of one Gulfstream aircraft, parts, tooling, and two years worth of logistics support for sustainment for the Philippine Air Force.
The amount was tasked against contract FA8134-19-D-0001, which is said to have a total face value of US$2,070,000,000.00, which could be for other US defense contracts
Below is the actual post from the US Department of Defense, which can be found on the link HERE.
“Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia, has been awarded a $31,899,999 firm-fixed-price task order against contract FA8134-19-D-0001 for the Gulfstream aircraft order and contractor logistic support (CLS) for Philippines Air Force. This order is for the purchase of one Gulfstream aircraft, parts, tooling and two years of CLS for sustainment of the aircraft. Work will be performed at Manila, Philippines, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2022. This award is the result of a sole source acquisition. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales to the Philippines. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,070,000,000. Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount of $31,899,999 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8124-19-F-2500).”
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| The Gulfsteam G280. Photo taken from German Wikipedia. |
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First edit and release: 29 April 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines
More wasted money. I suppose Economy is too good for him.
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