Philippine Air Force Receives First Shipment of AGM-65G2 Maverick Missiles, Gains New Capability

Note: MaxDefense realized that this blog entry was not released last June 2017 despite being ready for release! Made some minor updates as well to cover some modernization updates this past month.


For this past 2 weeks alone, there were verification of new capabilities acquired by both the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Army (PA), which are being sought after for quite some time after delays hampered both projects. Both capabilities were not presented by either service branches nor the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Department of National Defense (DND) to the media, and were just quietly put into service.

But fortunately, keen eyes by our community members, plus the continued support of our sources and contributors to MaxDefense Philippines, we are able to verify and confirm these capabilities.

For the Philippine Air Force, it now has a new air-to-ground missile capability in the form of Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick missiles, while the Philippine Army with their RPG-7 assault weapon.

One of the PAF's FA-50PH Fighting Eagle armed with an inert AGM-65G2 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missile, as seen during the PAF's Anniversary last July 4, 2017.
Photo taken by MaxDefense Philippines community member Efrain Noel Morota. Photo owned and credited to Mr. Morota.

Acquisition of the Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick:

The Philippine Air Force, through Pinoy Aviators' Facebook page, was proud of their recent accomplishment of Trans-Pacific flight of one their Lockheed C-130T Hercules, and posted the recent fete made by its pilots and aircrew for flying from the Philippines to Tucson, Arizona and back, something not done normally considering the PAF is a small regional air force known for antiquated aircraft in its fleet.

Photo of what appears to be munition containers being unloaded from a Philippine Air Force C-130T Hercules after flying in from Tucson, Arizona, home of Raytheon Missile Systems Co.
Photo taken from Pinoy Aviators' Facebook page.

While this is a good accomplishment for the PAF and the team involved, enthusiasts were actually more keen on knowing what the PAF did in Tucson, Arizona, considering that it was not a normal flight. Photos also emerged of what appears to be crates and containers being unloaded from the aircraft once it arrived in the Philippines. Crates that appear to be munition containers, something that normal people won't notice but defense followers and enthusiasts will.

As early as late June 2017, MaxDefense received a confirmation from one of its community members in the US that the PAF C-130 was in Tucson, Arizona to pick-up missiles, mentioning the exact type and variant as indicated in the crates. Unfortunately, the information got stuck deep in our Private Message inbox under hundreds of messages. But it's not too late, considering the information allowed us to confirm the delivery and the process.

On July 4, 2017, the Philippine Air Force showed off two of its FA-50PH Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft with AGM-65G Maverick inert rounds on its wing pylons, a sign that it now has such missiles in its inventory.

The Raytheon AGM-65G Maverick missile as installed on PAF's FA-50PH 17-007. The missile shown is an inert round. Also on the photo is a M117 750lb free-fall bomb and an AIM-9B Sidewinder missile on the wingtip.
Photo owned and credited to Efrain Noel Morota, a MaxDefense community member.

The Maverick missiles were acquired by the Philippine Air Force under the F/SAA/LIFT Munitions Lot 2 acquisition project, which was a direct contracting project with Raytheon Missile Systems Co. based in Tucson, Arizona. The contract is worth Php 3.316 billion to deliver the AGM-65G2 variant of the Maverick missile, including LAU-117 launch rails and inert rounds, plus a support package.

Based on the PAFs own presentations posted in their website years ago, as well as information made available to MaxDefense, the original budget for F/SAA/LIFT Munitions (Lots 1 and 2) is Php 4.333 billion. Lot 1 will be for air-to-air missiles (which will be discussed in future blog entries as this project is moving fast as well), while Lot 2 will be for air-to-ground missiles. Originally the budget for Lot 2 is only around Php 1.7 billion for 125* missiles as of 2013, but it was increased to Php 3.316 billion as per contract.

*Note: These quantity was released by the PAF in a Modernization Program update in their website in 2013, so we consider this as unclassified information.



Reasons for the Changes in Quantity and Budget Allocation:

MaxDefense believes that the increase in quantity is due to the perceived need for more precision guided munitions against ground targets in light of terrorist threats as well as naval threats in the West Philippine Sea. Aside from that, price increase is another issue, considering that the PAF incorrectly assumed the price each AGM-65G2. This is because, as confirmed by many MaxDefense sources, the PAF or even the AFP as a whole has this facepalm-worthy illness that even people within the AFP call "internet window shopping" wherein AFP planners tend to check contract prices of materiel without considering inflation, exchange rate, and price fluctuations. This is a very common cause of most planning and budgeting errors and in the AFP Modernization Program.

Another problem encountered was the strong exchange rate fluctuations in favour of the US dollar, in which the dollar-pesos conversion changed from US$1 = Php45 in 2013 to US$1 = Php50.5 to contract signing date in 2017. That was more 10% decrease in value for the Philippine pesos!

While MaxDefense is unable to disclose the exact number of missiles acquired due to obvious reasons, we can only say that there will be more than 125 rounds (reported quantity as of 2013). 

LAU-117 containers being loaded into a PAF C-130T Hercules aircraft.
Credits to owner of photo.

Based on information received by MaxDefense Philippines, the missiles picked-up by the PAF C-130T is actually the 1st tranche of AGM-65s delivered for the PAF, which will allow the PAF to train its pilot to fly the FA-50PH with the missiles on-board, which will significantly affect the flight characteristics of the aircraft. It also allows the PAF, both ground and air crews, to familiarize itself with the missiles.

It is worth noting that this delivery is also among the fastest ever made between contract signing and initial delivery. Based on documents obtained by MaxDefense, the contract signing between Raytheon and the Philippines happened only on middle of June 2017, but an initial delivery was made just within a week after! MaxDefense has not noted any similar case in any project before, the AFP is lucky already if it gets its products in a a few months, like the Emergency Procurement of.45 Caliber Hammer Fired Pistol for the AFP which took at least 3 months to deliver.

Normally it takes a lot of time for missiles to be manufactured, and the PAF is lucky for Raytheon to deliver the 1st tranche ahead of time. The next deliveries will be standard in terms of duration, and MaxDefense expects them to arrive in 2019 at worst, depending on Raytheon's ability to deliver ahead of schedule.

An AGM-65 Maverick missile attached to a LAU-177 single missile launch rail.
Credits to owner of photo.

The AGM-65G2 Maverick in brief:

The Raytheon AGM-65G2 Maverick is among the latest variants of the Maverick family of air-to-ground tactical missile used mainly by the US military and friendly nations. It was first introduced in the early 1970s with the US armed forces, and is very much combat proven and boasts an average kill accuracy of 93%.

It has an imaging infrared seeker, carrying a 300lb WDU-24/B penetrating blast fragmentation warhead, and is configured not just for anti-bunker/structure use, but can also be used for anti-tank operations. It can also be used by the Philippine Air Force against ships and naval targets, and other ground targets of interest. Raytheon also confirmed that it is accuracy of up to 1 meter.

While the effective range is classified, publicly available information refers that it can be effective up to 20 kilometers, although MaxDefense believes it could be more since this is usual protocol for manufacturers to not fully disclosed the actual capability of their missile products. MaxDefense noted this in a previous blog discussing the acquisition of Spike-ER missiles for the Philippine Navy.

While the only PAF aircraft capable of carrying the Maverick is the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle, any of the candidates of the PAF's future Multi-Role Fighter acquisition project from the Western world, including the Saab JAS-39 Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, are also capable of firing the Maverick missile.


Looking Forward:

MaxDefense expects that once the Maverick missile shows its capabilities and become a successful munition for the Philippine Air Force, it is highly possible that more of the missiles will be acquired in the next Horizon phases of the PAF's Modernization Program. It is also highly possible that experience with the Maverick will allow the PAF to further into acquiring more capable air-to-ground missiles with higher range, larger warhead payload, and perform better despite costing more than the Maverick.

With this, the future's looking bright for the Philippine Air Force.

The PAF's multirole fighter of choice, the Saab JAS-39 Gripen, is seen here armed with two AGM-65 Maverick missiles, two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (which the PAF would be getting soon), and two RBS-15 anti-ship missiles.
Credits to owner of photo.

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The Philippine Air Force's Medium Term "Flight Plan" for an effective Air Defense Capability

Recently the Philippine Star released a news report regarding the planned acquisition of 24 fighter aircraft in the near future for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The report's headline claims that the aircraft will be coming from South Korea, although the content of the report reveals that it is still unclear from which country the aircraft will be acquired. To clear this report, it would also be best to discuss the nature of the plan being followed by the Philippine Air Force for their acquisition of more fighters. This is also related to other projects being embarked by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the PAF.

The PAF is scheduled to acquire MRFs, like the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon / Viper (above) and the Saab JAS-39 Gripen (below) as previously indicated by the DND and PAF as part of its mid-term modernization goals. Photo of F-16 taken from Wikimedia, and of the JAS-39 from taringa.net

24 Fighters from South Korea?:
The report claims that their source came from a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a renowned defense and security think tank. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the news report came from SIPRI's Trends in International Arms Transfer 2014, by Pieter D. Wezeman and Siemon T. Wezeman. The exact source is located on page 6 of the said report. The SIPRI report also did not indicated the additional fighter aircraft's source, so we can say that the Philstar's headline was incorrect or unintentionally misleading. But the content of the report is well within the PAF plans, and would be discussed further within this blog entry.

The Air Defense Strategic Plan: 
The Philippine Air Force has been pushing very hard to accomplish its goal to transition its forces to territorial defense after being tied-up to internal security operations for decades. A few years ago, the PAF released its Air Defense Strategic Plan, with the medium-term vision of having a "Credible Air Defense Force by 2022". With the Revised AFP Modernization Program scheduled for implementation from 2013 to 2028, the PAF has created a program that would be done in stages, with the major breakthrough goals having set by years 2022 for the medium-term and 2028 for the long-term. This is called the PAF Flight Plan 2028.

Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone and Area Readiness:
In 1953, the Philippine government established the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone (PADIZ). It was meant to delineate the area in which the identification, location, and control of civilian aircraft is required in the interests of Philippine national security. This is different from the Manila Flight Information Region (FIR) due to the security and defense nature of PADIZ.

Currently the PADIZ covers the following areas:

Photo snipped from PAF Flight Plan 2028 presentation

PADIZ only covers entire Luzon region, parts of Visayas, and only islands north of Palawan. Major areas in the Visayas like the islands of Cebu, Negros, Leyte, Bohol, and the entire Mindanao region are not included in the current PADIZ.

With regards to regional scope, the PADIZ is bordered by Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (TADIZ), and is just below the Japan Air Defense Identification Zone (JADIZ).

Photo snipped from PAF Flight Plan 2028 presentation.

The PAF has also set a guideline based on Area Readiness (AR), in which there are 4 ARs representing the coverage of its air defense capability:

AR4: from 0% to 50% of Philippine territory;
AR3: from 51% to 74% of Philippine territory, which actually covers the entire PADIZ plus the West Philippine Sea;
AR2: from 75% to 84% of Philippine territory, this means including areas in the Philippines that are not covered by the PADIZ;
AR1: from 85% to 100% of Philippine territory.

Based on the current thrusts by the Air Defense Wing, its breakthrough goals for 2022 is to have the capability to detect, identify, intercept and neutralize intrusions in the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone (PADIZ) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from Area Readiness 4 to Area Readiness 3. The breakthrough goals for 2028 differs on the reach of its coverage, wherein the plan is to attain the same goals from Area Readiness 3 to Area Readiness 1. MaxDefense will only be discussing the current plans for the Medium Term 2022.

Organization Structure Changes:

There will be changes in the existing organizational structure handling the air defense within the PAF. Currently this is entrusted to the Air Defense Wing. It currently has the 5th Tactical Fighter Group with its single remaining flying squadron, the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron with its limited number of AS-211 Warrior armed jet trainers. The plan to improve the air defense system includes the reactivation of the Air Defense Command and the 5th Fighter Wing, an upgrade from the current Air Defense Wing and 5th Fighter Group.

The 5th Fighter Wing will also need to gradually reactivate its original fighter squadrons as more fighter assets becomes available, including the 6th Tactical Fighter "Cobras" Squadron, and the 8th Tactical Fighter "Vampires" Squadron.

The 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Group will be upgraded and reactivated as the 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing and continue to operate all ground based air defense radars and will be part of the Air Defense Command as it used to do. Air Defense Alert Centers would be gradually reestablished across the country, starting on the area covered by the existing PADIZ and WPS area, 

The Air Defense Strategic Plan also calls for activation of additional groups that will handle new capabilities to be introduced the PAF. This includes the 780th Ground Base Air Defense Group (in which the group's logo was posted in MaxDefense @ Facebook last February 24, 2015); and a still unnamed new group which will control Airborne Early Warning & Control and Electronic Countermeasures Aircraft assets. Other units will also be formed specifically to cater for peculiar support for the Air Defense units.

Facilities Improvement and Expansion:

The PAF will be improving its facilities in its current bases, starting with the Air Defense Command's headquarters at Basa Air Base, wherein its runway, taxiways, its hangars and aerodrome facilities, and the Hypobaric Chamber facility. 

Ground based air defense (GBAD) units will also start to have their own facilities on strategic air bases. Security will also be tightened with the basing of high-value assets, and perimeter defense facilities would be improved. The same will be made once the Subic International Airport is handed-over to the Philippine Air Force is made, as well as on other airbases like in Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and in Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga. 

The Crow Valley Gunnery Range Complex will be rehabilitated for live fire training use.
Photo taken from Wikimedia.

Other air force bases and facilities will also undergo upgraded and improved according to the master plan provided, aside from those that will be used for air defense units. This includes the Mactan Air Base, Lumbia Air Base, Fernando Air Base, all air stations and the Crow Valley Gunnery Range.

Photo snipped from the PAF Flight Plan 2028 presentation.

The Philippine Air Defense Control Center (PADCC) should also be modernized, together with the modernization of existing and establishment of new Air Defense Alert Centers (ADAC) in Basa Air Base, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Zamboanga City, and in Davao City. 

Air Defense Direction Centers will be re-established as well, and Air Defense Radar systems will be upgraded in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro, and in Mt. Salakot in Palawan as part of the medium-term phase, while more Radar Sites will be established on the long-term phase, with sites eyed on Panganiban, Camarines Norte, Balut Island in Davao Occidental, in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and in Anini-y, Antique.

Photo snipped from PAF Flight Plan 2028 presentation.

Acquisition of New Radar Systems:
With the improvement of the air defense system of the country includes the acquisition of new air defense and surveillance radar systems to replace existing ageing units, and also providing new radar to additional sites in the near future. 

The DND and PAF has chosen the Israeli-made IAI-Elta Systems ELM-2288-ER AD-STAR Air Defense & Air Traffic Control Radar over the US-made Lockheed Martin AN/TPS-77 Long Range Surveillance Radar for the first 3 units to be installed in Ilocos Norte, Lubang Island and Palawan. The contract is worth around Php 2.68 billion, although Elta gave a sweetener to their proposal by providing a free radar system with an 80-kilometer range as a gap filler to be used for the upcoming APEC Summit this November 2015. 

Although there is no confirmation yet, MaxDefense believes the free gap filler radar provided by IAI-Elta is the EL/M-2106 NG 3D tactical air defense radar. Although this appears to be a deal sweetener, MaxDefense believes that this move was also a marketing strategy by Elta since the PAF is also expected to acquire gap filler radar systems that can be used for short range anti-aircraft missile systems, and if the PAF is satisfied with the performance, they would probably acquire more in the future.

The Elta ELM-2288ER extended range version of AD-STAR air defense and air traffic control radar system.

Radar systems to be acquired for the other planned radar sites are not yet finalized so it may still be possible for the PAF to either continue ordering the Elta-made system, or switch to the US-made systems. MaxDefense sources confirmed that the AN/TPS-77 was actually more expensive although the performance is a little better than the ELM-2288.

Acquisition of More Fighter Aircraft:

Ahh...the juiciest part of the plans. Everybody's waiting for this part.

With the PAF already proceeded with the acquisition of 12 KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle surface attack aircraft/lead-in fighter trainer (SAA/LIFT) as a start, this would now form the groundwork of having the capabilities to sustain fighter aircraft assets. But the DND even in its previous press releases agreed that 12 FA-50 fighter-trainers are not enough to defend the country.

According to the PAF's Flight Plan 2028, the PAF plans to acquire additional fighter aircraft aside from the 12 FA-50s it earlier acquired, and it mentions at least 24 more aircraft. This comprises 12 more SAA/LIFT aircraft, and 12 Multirole Fighters (MRF). The timeframe scheduled by the PAF is to receive the additional SAA/LIFT by 2020, and acquire its first 4 MRF by 2021 and receive the balance units by 2022. 

The Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen NG is among the favorite MRF according to PAF pilots.

This schedule is still fluid, and may be subject to changes depending on the political and economic climate of the country, PAF's capability to absorb new knowledge and skills as an organization, and the performance of the FA-50 aircraft. There are lobbying being made to advance the acquisition of the MRF by at least 3 years to 2018, and reduce the number of SAA/LIFT aircraft acquisition of 12 more to a lesser number in favor of increasing the MRF acquisition to at least 18 units. 

The PAF may need to acquire more SAA/LIFT aircraft after the first 12 units it ordered, possibly choosing again the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle.

No specific models were named for the SAA/LIFT and MRF acquisitions, but it is expected that the PAF will definitely make a follow-on order of the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle. So far, the names coming out of PAF sources regarding MRF are the Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen NG, the F-16V Viper, and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, although the PAF is said to be open on offers coming from other friendly countries like South Korea, Japan, and France.

Acquisition of Support Aircraft and Equipment:

Aside from fighter aircraft and fighter trainers, the PAF has indicated its plans to acquire several other platforms, some of which were already started for tender, or has been announced by the DND as an upcoming project.

For the Air Defense Command, there are plans to acquire at least 2 Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft (AEW&C) by year 2020, and 4 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) aircraft starting 2020. 

The PAF also intends to acquire at least 2 AEW&C aircraft by 2020.

The acquisition of Air Defense & Surveillance Radar Systems (ADSRS) has already begun, with the first 2 IAI-Elta ELM-2288 AD-STAR radars expected to arrive in 2016, and another 1 by 2017. The PAF also plans to acquire 3 more undetermined type of ADSRS from 2018 to 2020 to cover the remaining areas discussed earlier. 

3 Ground Based Air Defense Systems (GBADS) are also scheduled for acquisition by 2016, while another 3 GBADS will be acquired by 2020.

The acquisition of Ground Based Air Defense System is among the most closely-guarded projects of the DND and PAF, and although not much releases are made to the media does not mean the project is not moving. The Israeli-made Spyder system is among those being considered for this project.

Trainings and International Exercises:
The new equipment would be nothing else but displays if the ones operating them are not abreast on the technology and capabilities these equipment can do. 

The PAF is trying to reach is schedule to be a participant in several international military exercises, which includes Cobra Gold annual exercises hosted by Thailand, Exercises Pitch Black hosted by Australia biennially, and Red Flag exercises hosted by the United States.

The PAF intends to join the Cobra Gold and Exercise Pitch Black in the near future, as well as the prestigious Red Flag exercises in the US.

According to the PAF's Flight Plan, the PAF should already be a regular participant in Cobra Gold by 2018, in Pitch Black by 2020, and in Red Flag by 2022. Currently, the AFP is an observer in Cobra Gold, and has been a minor participant in the recently concluded Cope North 2015 in Guam.

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In general, the PAF has already identified the road it plans to take, but it would not be possible if the executive and legislative bodies of the government still fail to provide the necessary support for this initiative. It is already a very conservative effort made by the PAF, and failure of the government to provide the budget and support will meant the PAF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a whole will be going nowhere.

MaxDefense will be abreast with the developments on this effort by the PAF, and separate blog entries will be tackling the other modernization efforts of the PAF on its Tactical and Support Wings, and Air Force Wide Support Units. Meanwhile, the focus for this year would be the delivery of the gap-filler radar system from Israel, and at least the first 2 units of the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle SAA/LIFT aircraft which will temporarily be used to fill the country's limited air defense capability.

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UPDATES:
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March 24, 2015:
This might be the fastest update ever made on MaxDefense blogs.

Just a few hours after this blog entry was released, the DND confirmed that the Philippine Air Force will be starting the rehabilitation of Gozar Air Station in Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro, to accomodate a new radar system scheduled to arriving soon. 

Gozar Air Station was formerly equipped with an air defense radar system but the air station fell to disrepair after its radar system became obsolete and decommissioned.

More of this update on the link provided HERE.

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March 27, 2015:
Aside from the Gozar Air Station in Lubang Island, the DND has started preparation for the rehabilitation of Salakot Air Station in Palawan, and Paredes Air Station in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. Both air stations were previously operating air defense radars, and are scheduled to receive their new radars from Israel by next year. 

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other officials visited the both the Salakot and Gozar Air Stations recently.

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Acquisition of FA-50 SAA/LIFT and Bell 412 CUH for PAF, 3 Oil Tankers for the PN

Finally, the impending contract signing for the purchase of 12 FA-50 Fighting Eagles from Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) to fulfill the Surface Attack Aircraft/Lead-in Fighter Trainer (SAA/LIFT) requirement is becoming a reality. Contract signing is scheduled tomorrow, March 28, 2014, 3:00pm at Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officer's Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. 

The KAI FA-50 was selected as the PAF's new SAA/LIFT aircraft.

Aside from the SAA/LIFT acquisition, also for signing tomorrow will be for the purchase of 8 Bell 412 helicopters for the combat utility helicopter (CUH) and VIP transport requirements from the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Both projects were procured via government-to-government (G2G) deals.

The initial 8 new Bell 412 helicopters are also coming in for the PAF, reportedly as combat utility helicopters to take the place of the W-3A Sokol and eventually replace the UH-1H Huey.

Representing the Philippine government is AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. Aside from the representatives of CCC and KAI, the Ambassadors of South Korea and Canada will witness the historic contract signing together with the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) president and other government and defense officials.

The FA-50 was chosen as the PAF's "stepping stone" and interim fighter while awaiting for the government to acquire multi-role fighters for them. Candidate FA-50 pilots and ground crew will be trained in South Korea as part of the deal, which in turn will become FA-50 instructors themselves for future cadre pilots. While churning in pilots ready for further training to handle MRFs, the FA-50 will also be used as an interim fighter for air policing and patrol duties over the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone (PADIZ) and EEZ.

The FA-50 will bring-in a  new generation of fighter-ready pilots for the PAF.
Photo taken from Korean Aero website.

Meanwhile, the Bell 412 was originally the PAF's choice for the CUH requirement until the W-3A was chosen by the DND after winning the tender for the CUH acquisition project after a number of attempts. With the W-3A Sokol decided to better serve the PAF as a Search and Rescue (SAR) asset, the PAF went for another attempt to acquire new CUH, this time through government-to-government dealings with CCC for the Bell 412.

PAF's Bell 412 CUH might have close resemblance to Canada's CH-146 Griffon, which saw service with Canadian armed forces assisting in relief efforts after Typhoon Yolanda.

Aside from these air assets, the Philippine Navy is set to receive 3 oil tankers as a donation from the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed yesterday, March 26, 2014 to formalize the donation. These ships were previously assets of the now defunct PNOC Shipping and Transport Corporation (PSTC), a wholly owned subsidiary of PNOC. Although no news yet on which ships will be acquired, PSTC oil tanker assets are mostly below 3,000 gross metric tons in displacement. Although small, these ships are assets that would boost the PN's capabilities in terms of resupply and underway replenishment.

The PNOC Emilio Jacinto (top) and PNOC Lapu-Lapu (below) are just among the oil tanker assets of the PSTC. No confirmation yet on which oil tankers are to be turned-over to the PN.
Photos taken from Feehily04's Flicker page (top) and MarineTraffic website (below)

More details will be discussed in succeeding MaxDefense blog entries in the coming days. In the meantime, let us celebrate the upcoming contract signing marking the official purchase of the 2 aircraft platforms for the PAF.

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Updates
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March 28, 2013:
Finally, contract signed for 12 KAI FA-50 lead-in fighter trainers, and 8 Bell Textron 412 combat utility and VIP helicopters.

Photo from KAI's Facebook page.

KAI has officially counted the PAF's FA-50 orders. Illustration above shows expected T-50 series possible sales projected by KAI.
Photo taken from KAI's Facebook page.

Photo taken from AFP.

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June 27, 2015:
Headway for both the Oil Tanker for the Philippine Navy, and the FA-50 and Bell 412EP acquisitions for the Philippine Air Force.

The Philippine Navy commissioned the first of the 3 tankers it received from the Philippine National Oil Company' Shipping and Transport Corp., last May 23, 2015. The ship, formerly the MT PNOC Lapu-Lapu, is now known as the BRP Lake Caliraya (AF-81) of the Philippine Navy. The two other ships acquired by the PN are still scheduled to complete their refurbishing and repair works, before they can be commissioned and join the PN. It is expected that at least one of the ships will be commissioned within 2015.

The BRP Lake Caliraya during its day of commissioning with the PN last May 23, 2015.
Photo taken from the Philippine Navy website.

For the Philippine Air Force, KAI announced through its official Facebook page that they have successfully completed the first flight of the first FA-50PH bound for the PAF. A total of 12 were ordered, and the PAF expects the first 2 mission-ready FA-50PH to be delivered by either December 2015 or January 2016.

Also, the first 2 Bell 412EP for the PAF were delivered on the last week of May 2015, and another batch of 2 units were delivered on the last week of June 2015. All 4 were assembled locally in Manila. The first 2 sports the colors of the Presidential Airlift Wing, while the second 2 were in olive drab similar to the UH-1 helicopters of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. 

One of the first 2 Bell 412EP delivered last May 2015, sporting the colors of the Presidential Airlift Wing in anticipation of VIP transport requirements for the APEC Summit 2015 in November.
Photo from Shuuichi Hikoushi of the Philippine Planespotters Group.

According to MaxDefense sources and contributors, the PAW units are being tested in Clark Air Base, while the 205th THW birds have just completed assembly and are scheduled to ground and flight testing very soon. All 12 units are expected to be delivered by next year, although the pace of Bell in its delivery suggests that they could complete delivery of all 8 units before the year ends.

One of the second batch Bell 412EP delivered on June 2015, taken at the NAIA grounds on June 27 by a MaxDefense reader who wants to remain anonymous. Based on its color scheme, it appears to be one of the combat utilty helicopter variants bound to fly with the PAF's 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.

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