Minor C4ISR Projects of the Philippine Air Force under the AFPMP Capability Upgrade Program

Philippine Defense Resource April 07, 2023 0

Due to the numerous minor projects involved in the AFP Modernization Program's Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Air Force and all other branch services, Philippine Defense Resource decided to combine them to resources pages based on their classification according to Department of National Defense (DND) official documents.

In this case, we focus on Minor Mobility Projects under the AFPMP Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Air Force, which are projects classified under C4ISR Projects that are less than Php100 million (approx US$2 million) in value.

The project names would still be individually listed in the MaxDefense Philippines' AFP & PCG Modernization Resource Portals and on Philippine Defense Resource's List of Modernization Projects, but will be linked into each of the grouped resource pages of each branch service. Philippine Defense Resource will follow numbering based on its listing from DND documents.

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MINOR C4ISR PROJECTS OF THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE UNDER THE AFPMP CAPABILITY UPGRADE PROGRAM:
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7. VHF / UHF Repeater Acquisition

Overview:

The project involves the acquisition of a new radio Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Repeaters which would support a variety of handheld and base radios of the Philippine Air Force as well as General Headquarters AFP.

These repeaters would allow linking existing and future base and handheld radios, and also allow for telephone integration between the Unified Commands and the AFP General Headquarters.

The project was acquired via Public Bidding, with the project only becoming successful at its second bidding attempt. The project has an Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) worth Php4,820,000.00, and only 2 companies submitted their offers. MS Eleven International Corporation was declared the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder, allowing the Notice of Award to be released in their favor on 14 September 2007.

9 VHF and 20 UHF repeaters were said to have been delivered as of July 2008, although we have failed to determine the exact model delivered to the PAF and AFP GHQ.

A civilian-spec repeater system from Motorola, for reference only.

Project Summary:

VHF / UHF Repeater Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 07 April 2023.

* End User: Philippine Air Force (multiple units), and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters

* Quantity: 9 VHF Repeaters, 20 UHF Repeaters

* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)

* Project ABC: Php4,820,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* Winning Proponent: MS Eleven International Corporation

* Product for Delivery: unknown, most likely civilian-spec repeaters

* Contract Price: Php4,647,752.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php172,248.00

* Project Status: Joint Project with AFP GHQ. Unknown quantity received by Philippine Air Force. Product also unknown although it is believed to be a civilian-spec repeater system and most likely from Motorola. Project reported by DND as completed as of July 2008. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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8. Military Lensatic Compass Acquisition Project

Overview:

The project involves the acquisition of new military-type lensatic compasses to be used by ground units of the Philippine Air Force, more likely from the 710th Special Operations Wing.

Not much is known about the procurement process of the project, who the bidders were and who won the project contract, as well as the project's Approved Budget of Contract (ABC).

As of the moment, we only know that this project exists, and that it was worth Php3,135,000.00, and was completed on October 2008.

Photo of military lensatic compass for representation only.

Project Summary:

Military Lensatic Compass Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 07 April 2023.

* End User: Philippine Air Force

* Quantity: 1 lot, exact quantity undetermined

* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)

* Project ABC: Unknown, TBC

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* Winning Proponent: Unknown, TBC

* Product for Delivery: Unknown quantity and brand of Military Lensatic Compasses

* Contract Price: Php3,135,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Unknown, TBC.

* Project Status: DND has reported delivery as completed as of October 2008. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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9. Aerial Surveillance Camera Acquisition Project

Overview:

The project involves the acquisition of new aerial surveillance camera to be installed on aircraft of the Philippine Air Force

Not much is known about the procurement process of the project, who the bidders were and who won the project contract, as well as the project's Approved Budget of Contract (ABC).

The exact model or type or aerial surveillance camera is also unknown, although it is believed to be installed on the PAF's lone Aero Commander TC-690A surveillance aircraft.

This is due to previous information received by MaxDefense Philippines back in 2013 that the aircraft has received upgrade a few years back including a new surveillance camera that can be used for surveillance and mapping.

As of the moment, we only know that this project exists, and that it was worth Php50,985,000.00, and was completed on November 2011.

The sole Aero Commander TC-690A surveillance aircraft of the PAF. Photo credits to Peter D through Jetphotos.net.

Project Summary:

Aerial Surveillance Camera Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 07 April 2023.

* End User: Philippine Air Force (300th Air Intelligence and Security Group)

* Quantity: 1 lot, exact quantity undetermined

* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)

* Project ABC: Unknown, TBC

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* Winning Proponent: Unknown, TBC

* Product for Delivery: Unknown quantity and brand of Aerial Surveillance Camera installed on Aero Commander TC-690A aircraft.

* Contract Price: Php50,985,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Unknown, TBC.

* Project Status: DND has reported delivery as completed as of November 2011. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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N O T E S:
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21 January 2023:

It appears that the Philippine Air Force's sole Aero Commander 690A has been retired from service.

The aircraft, with t/n 11250, appease to be the one now displayed at the PAF's Aerospace Museum in Pasay City.

The aircraft was said to be used by the PAF for surveillance and utility missions and has been with the Philippine Government for more than 30 years.

It remains to be seen as to what happened to its ISR equipment including the aerial surveillance camera, if it can still be used in other aircraft.