Your 1st for Philippine Defense

Austal leads Philippine Navy's OPV Acquisition Project!

SecDef Lorenzana confirms Austal is still the preferred OPV supplier for the PN

The Philippine Navy commissions its 2nd Jose Rizal-class frigate!

The Philippine Navy welcomes BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), its newest frigate!

The Philippine Navy selects Shaldag Mk. V for Fast Attack Interdiction Craft!

The DND has awarded the FAIC-M Acquisition Project to Israel Shipyards

The Philippine Air Force wants more Black Hawk helicopters!

The Philippine Air Force asks for more Black Hawks to allow the retirement of their Bell UH-1 Huey fleet

The Philippine Army orders the Sabrah Light Tank System from Israel!

Israel's Elbit Systems was declared the winner to supply light tanks to the PA

The Philippine Air Force receives full order of Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAVs!

All 9 Hermes 900 and 4 Hermes 450 MALE UAVs have been received by the PAF!


Sunday, June 24, 2018

Philippine Navy to Receive 3 More Missile-Ready Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts under Horizon 1 Phase

The Philippine Navy (PN) has quietly moved ahead and implemented the acquisition of another project under the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

Based on the Philippine Navy's recent publicly-released documents, as well as confirmation from MaxDefense source, the Philippine Navy has pushed through with the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Series 2018) acquisition project, which is a "2nd List of Horizon 1" project that was approved for acquisition.


The MPAC Mk. III built by Propmech-Lung Teh JV. The same design, with probably minor changes, will be used for the 4th batch of MPACs to be acquired by the Philippine Navy.
Photo provided by MaxDefense source.




Another Horizon 1 MPAC?

To avoid confusion, here is how it goes:

The Philippine Navy's Horizon 1 phase, which was approved for implementation in 2014, previously had a Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Acquisition Project with an Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) worth Php270 million. This was also called the "MPAC 3" during its pre-delivery phase. This was awarded to a Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation and Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. The former is a Filipino-owned company while the latter is a boatbuilder from Taiwan.

The boats acquired from this project, now known as the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014 (specifically the BA-488, BA-489, and BA-491) were delivered mid 2017, and are now being installed with weapon systems acquired from Rafael Advance Systems Ltd. of Israel as they are scheduled to conduct the Philippine Navy's first ever test firing of a surface-to-surface missile this coming July, as revealed by PN FOIC VAdm. Robert Empedrad recently.

Now...

This project we are discussing is part of the Philippine Navy's "2nd List of Horizon 1", an extension program of the Horizon 1 phase that was approved for implementation only in early 2016, has an acquisition project for another batch of MPACs. The Philippine Navy, based on new bid documents, appears to call this project the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018, to differentiate it from the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014 project. For convenience, let's call it as how the PN does, although MaxDefense expects the term "MPAC 4" to be used as well.

This project has an ABC of Php270 million (similar to all other MPAC acquisition projects), and involves the acquisition of three (3) brand new MPACs that can be armed with missile systems similar to those of MPAC Mk. III Series 2014.

It was only several weeks ago that MaxDefense was able to confirmed who led the tender for the MPAC4 contract, which is the Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation and Lung Teh Shipbuilding. The Department of National Defense (DND) has yet to complete Post Qualification Inspection on Propmech-Lung Teh, but based on the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) made by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under SARO-BMB-D-17-0024343 approved on 15 December 2017, the value is expected to be at Php269,799,999.99. This amount was released on 18 December 2017 based on the DBM's SARO release records.


One of the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014, BA-488, as seen here in 2017 undergoing tests before delivery to the Philippine Navy. The same design will be used for the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018, wherein 3 units will be delivered.
Photo provided by MaxDefense source..





The MPAC Mk. III Series 2018:


With this MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 already established, let's go further into details.

MaxDefense received information, as well as support from released documents from DND website that this 4th batch of 3 new MPACs will be using the same design as the MPAC Mk. III delivered by Propmech-Lung Teh last year, with probably only minor changes as specified by the Philippine Navy

This would make it easy for both Propmech-Lung Teh JV and the Philippine Navy to get this project out the drawing board and into design final approval since there won't be a need for a major redesigning like what happened on earlier MPAC projects where MPAC Mk. I differs in design from MPAC Mk. II, which also differs in design and purpose as the MPAC Mk. III.

While this contract only includes the boats itself, there is a separate project called the MPAC Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade, which is divided into 2 lots with a total combined approved budget of contract (ABC) worth Php722,000,000.00. The said budget was confirmed through SARO released by DBM in June 2018. And this is among the HORIZON 2 projects recently approved by Pres. Duterte for implementation.

As straightforward as the title of the project, it was meant to provide the MPAC Mk III. Series 2018 with weapon systems and capability enhancements. The same case happened on the MPAC Batch 3 aka MPAC Mk. III Series 2014 where the boats (awarded to Promech-Lung Teh JV) were acquired separately from the weapons system (awarded to Rafael Advance Systems).


Propmech - Lung Teh Joint Venture previously won the bidding to supply the MPAC acquisition under Horizon 1 phase. The end result is the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014, which were delivered in 2017. They are currently being installed with the weapon systems from Rafael, and will test fire a Spike-ER missile this July 2018.
Photo provided by a MaxDefense source.


The MPAC Mk. III Series 2018, like its earlier counter-part, was designed primarily as a small missile-armed patrol boat, rather than as an assault boat. It lacks the front opening bow and ramp that allows easy egress and ingress of troops, and will have less passenger capacity due to the presence of a control system for the weapon systems.

The MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 are expected to have the same dimensions as the earlier Mk. III variant, which are as follows:

Length: at least 17 meters long
Displacement: less than 30 tons (without the weapon systems)
Maximum Speed: at least 45 knots
Range: at least 300nmi at transit speed
Propulsion: 2 diesel engines coupled to water jet system
Complement: 2 officers and 5 crew memebers, plus 8 fully equipped troops.
As-delivered Standard Weapons: 2 M60 7.62mm light machine guns in addition to those to be delivered separately under the MPAC Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade Lot 1 project.


The expected layout of the MPAC Mk. III could be like the one shown on the photo above. Aside from the Typhoon mounts, the boat can also be armed by 2 M60 7.62mm machine guns.
Photo taken from the old Timawa.net forum.




MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 Additional Works:

It also appears that unlike the acquisition of the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014, this current batch will need some additional work on the boat iself, and its already apparent that the Navy is solving this issue.

Due to the rising costs, it could have been difficult for Propmech-Lung Teh JV to win the MPAC 4th Batch without the need to make sure it is profitable and reasonable for them to bag the project. Being commercial in nature, it is normal for the proponent to make sure they will earn from this project.

Propmech-Lung Teh JV's tender price is actually only Php200,000 less than the allocated budget for the project. But it appears that there were a lot of un-included items, probably intentionally removed by the PN TWG from the technical specifications, due to price escalations over the years.

To cover this, the DND released a separate project called the Lot 2 of the MPAC Mk. III Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade, which covers the Mission Essentials Equipment and the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). Out of the Php722 million intended for the project, Php60 million was allocated for this work's Allocated Budget of Contract (ABC).

Normally, the MPAC acquisition already  should have the items included in this lot, specifically the ILS, communications equipment, shock mitigating seats for passengers, and the ballistic panels and glass on specific areas of the boat.

MaxDefense has reason to believe that Propmech-Lung Teh JV, or any other boat-builder cannot deliver 3 fully functional MPACs with ILS for Php270 million or less. Costs has finally caught up with the times, and the PN has no choice but to adjust its Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade to include these items just to allow the MPAC acquisition to push through without hassles.

Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes (SOBE) for this MPAC Mission Essentials and ILS Lot 2 
was scheduled on 14 June 2018, and although we still do not have a confirmation who bagged the project, MaxDefense believes it is fitting for Promech Corporation to win the project since they are familiar with the boats and are the most capable of providing the ILS to their own product.

While we still do not know the winning bidder's submitted amount, it is safe to say that the current MPAC 4th Batch, without its weapons system, costs a little less than Php330,000,000.00 for all 3, or
a little less than Php110,000,000.00 each.


Shock-mitigating seats are among those to be procured under the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade Lot 2 Mission Essential Equipment and ILS. It appears that Propmech-LungTeh JV did not include this in their contract  to deliver the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018.
Photo taken from Propmech's video.




MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 Combat Systems:

There is still little information on the other part of the MPAC Mk. III Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade Lot 1, which is expected to be the project for the procurement of weapon systems for the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018.

Originally it was supposed to have an ABC of Php722,000,000.00 and will only be 1 lot, but the changes in the MPAC Series 2018 acquisition required the Philippine Navy to source out additional funding to cover for the need to acquire lacking equipment on the MPACs. Since only Php722,000,000.00 was released for the entire project, Lot 2 was deducted from the overall budget, leaving Php662,000,000.00 for the Lot 1.

So far, what MaxDefense is sure is that it would be for the acquisition of Remote Controlled Weapons System (RCWS), Multiple Launching System for short-range surface-to-surface missile launchers, and the missiles itself.

While it appears that the Philippine Navy is still in the pre-procurement stage on this project-lot, MaxDefense has strong reason to believe that this would be a Government-to-Government (G2G) acquisition involving Israel and Rafael Advance Systems Ltd. If this is the case, MaxDefense believes that Rafael may again offer the Rafael Spike-ER missile, Typhoon MLS-ER missile launching system, and Mini Typhoon 12.7mm RCWS mount.

The difference from the last Horizon 1 MPAC Combat System project is the allocated budget. While the weapons for the MPAC Mk. III Series 2014 for Php594 million, this time the budget allocated was Php662 million.

MaxDefense believes that the cost increase may be attributed to price escalation and inflation, a poorer US dollar - Philippine pesos exchange rate, and the possibility that the PN wanted to acquire more surface-to-surface missile rounds than before. Each MPAC was designed to carry 4 ready-to-fire missiles in the launcher, plus 10 more rounds located on the boat's storage. MaxDefense won't be too specific, but the previous deal with Rafael did not cover the acquisition of a full 14 rounds per boat.





The Rafael Mini Typhoon 12.7mm RCWS (top) and the Rafael Typhoon MLS-ER (above) are expected to be acquired again to arm the MPAC Mk. III Series 2018 boats under a G2G deal with Israel.
Top photo taken from Rafael's website, bottom photo taken from Philippine Navy's FB page.




Summary:

1. Multi-Purpose Attack Craft Series 2018 Acquisition Project


End User: Philippine Navy (Littoral Combat Force)
Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 1 (2nd List)
ABC: Php270,000,000.00
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-17-0024343, released 18 December 2017
Lowest Proponent: Propmech Corporation - Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Joint Venture
Bid Price: Php269,799,999.99
First post by MaxDefense: 30 December 2017


2. Multi-Purpose Attack Craft Mk. III Series 2018 Combat System and Capability Upgrade Lot 2 - Mission Essential Equipment and ILS

End User: Philippine Navy (Littoral Combat Force) - for MPAC Mk. III Series 2018
Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 2 (Priority List)
ABC: Php60,000,000.00
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-18-0012925, released 01 June 2018;
Winning Proponent: still for public bidding.
Contract Price: TBA


3. Multi-Purpose Attack Craft Mk. III Series 2018 Combat System and Capability Upgrade Lot 1 - (unnamed sub-project)

End User: Philippine Navy (Littorla Combat Force) - to be installed on MPAC Mk. III Series 2018
Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 2 (Priority List)
ABC: Php662,000,000.00
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-18-0012925, released 01 June 2018;
Winning Proponent: none yet, still awaiting procurement process decision
Contract Price: TBA
First post by MaxDefense: 31 May 2018.



MaxDefense will provide more information in the future, considering the project is still in the early stages and might be delivered only by late 2019. The MPAC Weapon System is also another project worth discussing in the future, as we await for more information regarding the deal.




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U P D A T E S:
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25 September 2018:

The Department of National Defense has finally released the Notice of Award (NOA) for the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft Mk. III (Series 2018) Combat System and Capability Upgrade Lot 2 - Mission Essential Equipment and ILS to Propmech Corporation last 11 September 2018. This is after Propmech was declared the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder last 30 August 2018.

This is so far, the first Philippine Navy project awarded under the Horizon 2 phase.


Propmech Corp. was expected to win this bidding due to their ongoing participation in the construction of the MPACs. The requirement is for the winning bidder to do the works in Lung Teh's boatyard in Taiwan, which means only Propmech can do it with practical ease compared to other potential bidders.


A copy of the Notice of Award (NOA) provided by DND to Propmech Corporation.
NOA taken from DND's website.




While the NOA is out, the Contract and the Letter of Credit are still pending with the DND, although MaxDefense expects the Contract to be signed probably by October 2018. MaxDefense will provide updates once it gets confirmation that the Contract has been signed, and if the LOC is provided, which is the basis of Project Start.


Thursday, June 14, 2018

Elbit Systems Wins Contract to Upgrade Philippine Army M113A2 with RCWS and Mortars

It has been six months since the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program has started. But there are still several projects form the Horizon 1 phase that has yet to be implemented, or even started. In the Philippine Army alone, more than 5 projects are yet to be procured or awarded to a winning supplier, and there are several projects that are already awarded to a winning supplier but is still in the process of pre-delivery.

Despite some discussions we made on our Facebook page early this year, it appears that MaxDefense has not really made a blog entry yet regarding another M113 project that is underway for delivery - the Firepower Upgrade of EDA M113 Project under the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.


The Philippine Army is to upgrade 5 of its M113A2 into Self Propelled Mortar Carriers using the Soltam Cardom 81mm Mortar (above shows 120mm mortar variant), and 44 M113A2s upgraded with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS.
Credits to owner of photo.


Project Background:

This project, which is a part of the so-called "2nd List of Horizon 1" that was formed by prioritizing Army projects using the budget originally intended for the delayed Shore Based Missile System (SBMS), involves the upgrade of the M113A2 tracked armoured personnel carriers received by the Philippine Army from US Military Assistance a few years ago.

The project has an allocated budget worth Php 1,051,650,000.00. The project proceeded as a Government-to-Government (G2G) project undertaken by the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) and Israel's Ministry of Defense, and was divided into 2 lots within a single project.

The M113 Firepower Upgrade is divided into 2 Lots with a total ABC of Php1,051,650.00.
Photo exclusively provided to MaxDefense by AFP sources.



Both project covering both lots was awarded last year to Israel's Elbit Systems Land & C4I, which has experience in projects with the Philippine Army especially in the M113 vehicle. After months of pre-contract negotiations, the contract between the DND and Elbit Systems was signed in January 2018, and the Letter of Credit was released a few months later, which effectively starts the project duration.

Prior to modernization of the M113A2 into RCWS-equipped vehicles, they were standard M113 APCs armed with a 50-calibre 12.7mm Browning M2 machine gun with either an armoured cupola protecting the front side only, or a 360-degree armoured cupola protection. Both are less suitable for high threat environment, while the machine guns are manually aimed and is not as accurate as those using advanced sights found on RCWS.
Credits to owner of photo.



Lot 1: Upgrade with 12.7mm Remote Controlled Weapons System:

The first lot involves the upgrade of 44 M113A2 tracked armoured personnel carriers by installing Elbit System's Dragon 12.7mm RCWS and Elbit's Combat NG Battlefield Management System (BMS) into the vehicles. This is the same RCWS and BMS installed by Elbit on the 6 M113A2+ that they delivered in a pre-Horizon 1 project covered by the older AFP Modernization Program covered by the 1995 RA 7898.

Elbit will supply the complete Dragon RCWS, and the Combat NG BMS. Installation works and any upgrade to the vehicles will be done in the Philippines by Elbit Systems in cooperation with the Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division.

Close-up of one of the M113A2+ armed with the Elbit Dragon 12.7mm RCWS during field exercises last year. The same RCWS will installed on 44 other M113A2s under this project.
Photo owned by the late John Chua, which gave MaxDefense permission to use his photos in his hayday.




The Dragon RCWS mounts a 50-caliber Browning M2 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and has modern sighting systems which allows for improved surveillance and targeting, as well as day and night capability in providing fire support to dismounted troops. The RCWS also allow the gunner to be inside the armoured vehicle which gives better protection from enemy fire, explosions or shrapnel.

Meanwhile, the Elbit Combat NG battlefield management system allows Command and Control capability, as well as integration with other units using the same system. These armoured vehicles won't be the first ones to have this capability, as the Philippine Army's M113A2+ tracked armoured vehicles are all equipped with the same BMS, as well as the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps' recently delivered Soltam M-71 155mm towed howitzers. More units are expected to operate the same BMS in the near future.

Elbit's Combat NG BMS allows units Command and Control and integration of combat and support units to improve combat capabilities in the battlefield. These batch of M113s isn't the first one to have this capability, as the Philippine Army has been using the Combat NG since the delivery of Upgraded M113s by Elbit Systems a few years ago.
Photo taken from Elbit's website. 


Once the upgrades are complete, the Mechanized Infantry Division will have 50 of its M113s armed with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS. This also gives more reason for the Philippine Army to continue using the same system in future upgrades of its armoured vehicles for commonality in terms of logistics and maintenance, training, and sustaining these kind of modern assets.

Four of the six M113A2+ armed with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS. These were delivered by Elbit Systems Land & C4I under the Upgraded M113 acquisition project. The same RCWS will be installed by Elbit Systems on 44 other M113A2 vehicles of the Philippine Army.
Credits to the owner of the photo.



Lot 2: Upgrade to Self Propelled Mortars:

This lot involves the acquisition of 5 Soltam Cardom 81mm mortar systems, and the conversion of 5 of the Philippine Army's M113A2 into Self Propelled Mortars.

While this is not the first attempt by the Philippine Army to have such asset (previously they tried converting a FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier into a Self Propelled Mortar by installing an 81mm mortar), this is the first time that actual Self Propelled Mortars will be made operational.

An example of an M113 Armoured Mortar Carrier armed with a Soltam Cardom mortar system. The Philippine Army will receive 5 upgraded and converted M113 AMC as part of this project.
Credits to owner of photo.


The Soltam Cardom 81mm mortar has a range of around 7 kilometers, and has a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute. It is ready to fire around 30 seconds from vehicle halting, and can immediately scoot after firing, which allows it to move away from counter-artillery fire.

While the mortars will be using the 81mm variant, the M113s will be able to shift to the larger Cardom 120mm mortars if the Philippine Army decides to make the shift. In our previous posts in our Facebook page, MaxDefense explained that the Mechanized Infantry Division wanted 120mm version of the Cardom, but was forced to go for the smaller 81mm variant due to current doctrines in the Philippine Army that only allows Artillery units to operate howitzers or mortars from 105mm caliber and up. MaxDefense was informed that the Philippine Army is already in the process of revising this to allow the MID to have 120mm mortars as well.

Like the RCWS-equipped units, the 5 M113A2 Self Propelled Mortars will also have the Elbit Combat NG battlefield management system,

5 Cardom-equipped M113 Mortar Carriers can equip a single Self Propelled Mortar battery, and will be used to train the Mechanized Infantry Division on the usage of self-propelled mortar carriers as the Philippine Army plans to acquire more units in the near future (to be discussed in future blogs).

More of the Cardom system can be seen in the video below. While the video mostly show the 120mm variant, the 81mm variant to be delivered by Elbit differs only on the mortar size being used. Everything else, from the






Delivery:

Based on information provided by our sources, and information gathered from other means, it appears that Elbit intends to deliver the completed vehicles in batches and is dependent on the facility's availability and the availability of people involved in the upgrade project.

The first batch of around 19 completed upgraded vehicles will be delivered by around February 2019. The 2 other batches will be delivered before mid-2019, although MaxDefense would rather not mention the breakdown of the said batches and the exact month of succeeding deliveries until a few months from then.

By the time all 49 upgraded M113A2s are delivered to the Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division, it is expected that the next 2 projects to upgrade another batch of M113s are expected to be ready to proceed as well, especially that Pres. Duterte has finally approved the Horizon 2 Priority Projects. These 2 projects will be discussed by MaxDefense is another blog entry, and will probably be among the first projects of the Philippine Army to proceed under the recently approved Priority Projects of Horizon 2 phase.




Summary:

Firepower Upgrade of EDA M113s
* Lot 1 - Supply and Installation of 12.7mm RCWS (44 nos.)
* Lot 2 - Upgrade to Armored Mortar Carrier (5 nos)

End User: Philippine Army (Mechanized Infantry DIvision);
Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 1 (2nd List);
ABC: Php1,051,650,000.00;
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-17-0022354, released 29 November 2017;
Winning Proponent: Elbit Systems Land & C4I (Israel) through Government-to-Government transaction between the Israeli and Philippine governments;
Contract Price: Php1,051,650,000.00;
First post by MaxDefense: 31 July 2017




MaxDefense will provide updates on this project, including updates in our Facebook page and in this blog entry. It is expected that this project will be complete by mid-2019, so we have 1 year more to wait until the completion of this project, if everything goes according to their program and plans.

Friday, June 8, 2018

PTDI Finally Delivers 2 NC-212i Aircraft to the Philippine Air Force

Indonesia's PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has finally started the delivery of two (2) NC-212i for the the Philippine Air Force.

MaxDefense contributors confirmed the departure of the said aircraft, which was later corroborated by sources close to people working with PTDI.

PT Dirgantara Indonesia won a public tender to supply the Philippine Air Force with a light tactical aircraft under the PAF's Light Lift Fixed Wing Aircraft which was tendered as early as 2013. Several tenders were attempted as bidding failures plagued the project until PT Dirgantara Indonesia won the last attempt, and was awarded the contract to deliver two (2) NC-212i aircraft the 1st quarter of 2014.

The project was part of the original AFP Modernization Program mandated by Republic Act 7898 made in 1995. Although it was part of the old modernization program, it was only implemented and funded during the term of Pres. Benigno Aquino III when the Revised AFP Modernization Program was already approved.


One of the NC-212i aircraft, as it departs for Clark Airbase today 08 June 2018.
Photo sourced from PTDI.


The aircraft were supposed to be delivered by late 2015 as per the contract schedule. But PTDI was forced to replace the aircraft's Autopilot System to Genesys Aerosystems due to some issues with the previous autopilot supplier. While PTDI was able to incorporate the new autopilot system from Genesys to the NC-212i aircraft, they were unable to immediately secure the certification needed and required for customers to accept the aircraft. Among those affected were NC-212i orders for the Vietnam People's Air Force, and the Philippine Air Force.

Another issues was that the certification is not PTDI's sole responsibility, but was in coordination with Airbus Military, which is the original design owner of the NC-212i's predecessor, the C-212i Aviocar made by CASA (now part of Airbus Military). It appears that Airbus Military was only able to get the certification for the autopilot system for use on the C-212/ NC-212i a few months ago.

The delays were too long, resulting to PTDI getting slapped with a 1-year blacklisting from joining biddings with Philippine government projects. And yet, after the 1-year blacklisting, the aircraft were still unavailable for delivery for the same autopilot certification issue.


The two NC-212i aircraft for the Philippine Air Force, seen here in PTDI's facility in Indonesia, as it awaits for the certification for the autopilot system to be released. The wait took more than 1 year.
Photo taken from detik.com.


But that is now all in the past.

The two aircraft were delivered to the Philippine Air Force today, 08 June 2018, after being flown from Indonesia to Clark Airbase in Pampanga. It is expected that the PAF will conduct some checks and is expected to formally receive the aircraft and commission them into service with the 220th Airlift Wing within the next few days.

MaxDefense will provide updates on this once the commissioning is made. We thank our sources for the photos on its arrival, and the information of its arrival.


One of the NC-212i flies off to Clark Airbase in Pampanga.
Photo sourced from PTDI.


One of the NC-212i still with temporary Indonesian markings, and was photographed at a PAF airbase on 10 June 2018.
Credits to MaxDefense community member who wish to remain anonymous, for exclusively sharing to us this photo.


Summary:

Light Lift, Fixed Wing Aircraft Acquisition

End User: Philippine Air Force (220th Airlift Wing)
Modernization Phase: RA7898 AFP Modernization Program 3rd Part
ABC: Php270,000,000.00
SARO Release: 2013
Winning Proponent: PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Indonesia)
Contract Price: Php813,000,000.00 through Negotiated Procurement
First post by MaxDefense: 25 September 2013


Philippine Navy Modernization Projects

Philippine Air Force Modernization Projects