As part of the Horizon 2 Priority Projects phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine Navy (PN) has started the bidding process for the acquisition of one (1) Multi-Purpose Amphibian Aircraft.
The Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) for this project is at Php1,333,333,333.33 (US$24.69 million based on US$1=Php54), and bidders are expected to deliver the aircraft within 730 days (2 years) from signing of Contract and receiving the Notice to Proceed (NTP).
The end user for the aircraft is the PN’s Naval Air Group (NAG), which currently operates the Beechcraft C-90 King Air & Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander surveillance and utility aircraft, and Cessna 172 Skyhawk trainer aircraft, aside from helicopters.
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| The DHC-6 Twin Otter Guardian 400. Photo taken from Viking Air's website. |
Project Summary:
Multi-Purpose Amphibian Aircraft Acquisition Project
Note: Edited as of 17 August 2019.
* End User: Philippine Naval (Naval Air Wing)
* Quantity: 1 aircraft
* Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase Priority Projects of RAFPMP
* Project ABC: Php1,333,333,333.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: From General Appropriations Act (GAA) annual funding, to be paid one time.
* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-18-0013736, released 18 June 2018.
* Winning Proponent: TBA
* Product for Delivery: TBA
* Contract Price: TBA
* First post by MaxDefense: 16 November 2013
* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PNMPAAAcquisition, #PNAmphibianAircraftAcquisition
* Status: First bidding attempt failed. No attempt made yet to restart project. Philippine Navy prefers the Canadian-made VIking AIr DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Guardian 400.
Requirements:
Based on the Bid Documents and Technical Specifications released by the DND for the project, the aircraft can be considered as a brand new, Twin-Engine, multipurpose seaplane which is large enough to be capable of maritime surveillance, search & rescue, and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).
The aircraft itself should have the following features:
- Twin Turbine Engined;
- Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) capable;
- With a cruising speed of at least 150 knots in full mission configuration;
- Payload of at least 1,500 kilograms in amphibian configuration;
- Endurance of at least 6 hours;
- Range of at least 900 nautical miles:
- Can take-off and land at Sea State 3 condition
For Maritime Surveillance, the aircraft is to be equipped with the following:
a. Electro-Optical / Infra-Red sensor – retractable to protect from sea landings, capable of multi-sensor imaging and lasing, and in high definition output.
b. Radar – Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) using X-Band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology capable of surface, air, and weather surveillance, with a maximum range of 120
nautical miles, and weighs not more than 40 kilograms.
c. Fitted for but not with Tactical Data Link 16, and permit 2-way exchange of tactical data with other TDL-equipped AFP units.
d. Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) / Selective Identification Feature (SIF)
e. Bubble-type Windows on both sides – to allow eyeball observation, including suitable use of DSLR camera and digital handheld video cameras.
As a Utility or Passenger Aircraft, the aircraft should have the following:
a. 4 Stretchers for MEDEVAC missions;
b. Seats for at least 19 passengers excluding the pilots:
c. Detachable Static Line for Para jump operations.
The supplier is also required to provide Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), including spares for 1200 hours of operation (an equivalent of 3 years worth of flying hours), Support Equipment and Structures including the tools, ground support equipment, and even the aircraft’s hangar that can accommodate 3 aircraft of the same model at any given time, and conversion training for pilots and ground crew.
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U P D A T E S:
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17 August 2019:
The bidding for the Multi-Purpose Amphibian Aircraft acquisition project, which was held on 16 October 2018, was declared a failure by the DND's Bids and Awards Committee.
No reason was provided on why the bidding was declared a failure. So far, no schedule was also provided if there will be a re-bidding for the project. And considering that it is almost 1 year since the bidding failure, it remains to be seen if the Philippine Navy will proceed again with this project, or if there will be changes going to be made.
The introduction of the Beechcraft C-90 King Air donated by Japan actually provided a stop-gap measure on the lack of surveillance and utility aircraft for the Philippine Navy's Naval Air Wing (NAW) since its current fleet of Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander aircraft are being prepared for retirement gradually.
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First edit and release: 17 August 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines
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