Frigate (Full Complement) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

 

The HDF-3500 design from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, believed to be the frontrunner in the Frigate (Full Complement) Acquisition Project. Photo credits to Frances Mangosing.

===============

Project Summary:

Frigate (Full Complement) (aka Frigate Phase 2) Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 07 September 2025.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Offshore Combat Force)

* Quantity: 2 units including ILS and munitions

* Modernization Phase: Re-Horizon 3 Phase of RAFPMP,

* Project ABC: Php42,195,400,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) with still unidentified country.

* Source of Funding: Multi-Year GAA Allocations for the Revised AFP Modernization Program starting FY2025

* SARO Release/s: TBA

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Amount: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 07 November 2023

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PNFrigatePhase2Acquisition #PNFrigateFullComplementAcquisition 

* Status: The project is a follow-on to the Frigate Acquisition Project implemented under Horizon 1 phase, as the Philippine Navy requires more surface combatants as the service grows in size and capability and to replace retired ships. Project was part of Horizon 3 proposal, and was carried over to Re-Horizon 3 phase with a the same budget. Project Terms of Reference reportedly approved as of early 2025, with a Contract expected to be signed possibly with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries before the end of 2025.

The HDF-3200, used for the Miguel Malvar-class, could also be a potential design to be used for the Frigate (Full Complement) Acquisition Project. Photo credits to Philippine Navy.

===============

Overview:

As part of previous modernization plans of the Philippine Navy, there are requirements to acquire several major surface combatant ships to not just replace ageing assets, but also as part of plans to grow the fleet size and overall capabilities.

Under the original 1995 AFP Modernization Program under Republic Act 7898, there was a plan to have 3 new guided-missile frigates ordered and under construction by 2010. But this was not realized due to budget constraints and other factors.

Under the 2012 Revised AFP Modernization Program under Republic Act 10349, a new plan was made, which includes the "Desired Forces Mix" which included a requirement for 6 air-defense frigates and 12 anti-submarine corvettes, although a concrete plan to cover the entire program was not made, and instead a plan for the first 5 years covering the so-called "Horizon 1" phase from 2013 to 2017 was made.

The Desired Force Mix plan, which shows the need for 6 anti-air warfare frigates. Photo credits to original source.

Among them were the acquisition of 2 new frigates under the Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 1, which ultimately led to the awarding of the project to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI, now HD Hyundai Heavy Industries) and the construction and commissioning of the Jose Rizal-class frigates of the Philippine Navy, which were based on HHI's HDF-2600 light frigate/corvette design.

As part of Horizon 3 phase from 2023 to 2027, a proposal to acquire 2 more frigates has been raised with a proposed budget of Php43,195,400,000.00. The new frigates, together with additional new and used corvettes, would allow the Philippine Navy to defend the sea gaps in the West Philippine Sea and Northern Luzon.

Several alternative proposals have been made for the Horizon 3 phase, but in all versions, the acquisition of 2 additional frigates have always been part of the priority.

With Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. ordering a re-evaluation of the Horizon 3 phase which led to the formation and approval of the "Re-Horizon 3" phase by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., again the acquisition of two new frigates remained in the high priority, with the budget remaining the same at Php43,195,400,000.00.

Our parent page MaxDefense Philippines provided several insights on this project as well as information that appears to be unavailable from any official publications.


===============

Analysis on Potential Specifications:

While the Philippine Navy has not released the technical specifications for the project, it is highly anticipated that the Philippine Navy will mostly re-use those from the Corvette Acquisition Project, which ultimately led to the Miguel Malvar-class that were reclassified as frigates due to their size and capability.

This may include the following:

Weapons Suite:
* 1 x 76mm naval gun, most likely the Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid;
* 2 x 8-cell Vertical Launching System, which could be for MBDA VL-MICA NG or other systems;
* 2 x triple lightweight anti-submarine torpedo launchers, most likely from UK company SEA;
* 2 x quadruple anti-ship missile launchers, most likely the LIG Nex1 SSM-710K C-Star anti-ship missiles if ship awarded to HD HHI or Hanwha Ocean, otherwise the MBDA Exocet Block III;
* 1 x gun-based close-in weapon system, probably the Aselsan Gokdeniz 35mm CIWS

The Aselsan Gokdeniz CIWS might be specified, which is now allowed under the New Government Procurement Act if the item is already in service. Photo credits to Philippine Navy.

Sensor Suite:
* Combat Management System, will depend on who the winning shipbuilder will be;
* 3D AESA primary air/surface search radar;
* 2D secondary & navigation surface search radar;
* Fire Control Radar;
* Hull Mounted Sonar;
* Towed Array / Variable Depth Sonar;
* Radar and Communications Electronic Countermeasures or Electronic Support Measures (R-ECM/R-ESM & C-ECM/C-ESM);
* Electro-Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR) camera tracking system;

Propulsion System:
* Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD) configuration

Flight Support:
* Helideck and hangar for 10-ton naval helicopter (ie. AW159 Wildcat and/or MH-60R Seahawk) and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Potential Offers:

Like before, the promotion of warships during defense exhibitions provides the best way to analyze what could be in offer to the Philippine Navy as well as to other navies in the world.

Among them is the Asian Defense and Security (ADAS) Exhibition 2024, which actually provided a hint on the potential acquisition of new frigates and corvettes under the Horizon 3 / Re-Horizon 3 phase.


HD Hyundai Heavy Industries - HDF-3500 frigate design:

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' booth actually included an infographic showing such hint, while also displaying a proposed HDF-3500 frigate design, which Naval News later on mentioned as HD HHI's proposal for the Horizon 3 phase frigate.

As the name suggests, the HDF-3500 is a 3,500-ton class frigate, which makes it larger than both the Jose Rizal-class (based on HDF-2600) and Miguel Malvar-class (based on HDF-3200). 

The scale model appears to show the potential weapons suite which include a 76mm naval gun that looks like the Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid naval gun, 2 x 8-cell Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles, 2 x quadruple anti-ship missile launchers, 2 x triple lightweight anti-submarine torpedo launchers, a gun-based close-in weapon system that looks like the Aselsan GOKDENIZ 35mm CIWS.

Sensors and antennas appear to be similar to that of the Miguel Malvar-class, although it will remain to be seen what the final fit-out would be proposed.

The HDF-3500 proposal to the Philippine Navy. Photo screen-grabbed from Naval News' report.

Hanwha Ocean - Ocean 4300 frigate design;

While it was not explicitly said to be offered to the Philippine Navy, Hanwha Ocean displayed their Ocean 4300 frigate design to show that the are also capable of building surface warships like frigates and corvettes, despite their focus on offering submarines to the Philippine Navy.

The Hanwha Ocean 4300 frigate design. Photo screen-grabbed from Naval News.

It is possible for Hanwha Ocean to modify the design of the Ocean 4300 to meet the specifications and budget of the Philippine Navy's Frigate project, and there are already several possible options including the replacement of the 127mm gun to a 76mm gun, reducing the VLS cells from 32 to 16, replacing the sensors, among others.


Naval Group - FDI frigate design

There were earlier information that France's Naval Group initially offered their FDI frigate and the Gowind light frigate/corvette designs.

The FDI frigatem short for "Frégate de défense et d'intervention" or Intervention and Defense Frigate, is the French Navy's next generation general purpose frigate as the Amiral Ronarc'h-class, as well as exported to Greece as the Kimon-class.

But due to the working budget for the project, it appears that Naval Group was priced out of the project. According to sources, the Philippine Navy's budget is just enough to build a single fully-equipped FDI frigate.

A CGI of the FDI frigate that will enter French Navy service. Photo credits to Naval Group.

============
U P D A T E S:
============

===============
===============
First edit and release: 07 September 2025
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

ABNTB-PNBAC1-2025-01 Harbor Tugboat Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

As part of plans to modernize its port and port handling facilities, the Philippine Navy plans to procure several new harbor tugboats to replace ageing assets while also improving its capabilities.

In line with this plan, the Philippine Navy raised a requirement to procure one new harbor tugboat under the ABNTB-PNBAC1-2025-01 Harbor Tugboat Acquisition Project.

This resource page will tackle this specific acquisition, although we expect similar projects to be raised in the near future.

The Philippine Navy's YT-027, a RAmparts 2700 harbor tugboat. Photo credits to Riviera.

===============

Project Summary:

ABNTB-PNBAC1-2025-01 Harbor Tugboat Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 31 August 2025.

* End User: Philippine Navy 

* Quantity: 1 unit

* Modernization Phase: Philippine Navy GAA Capital Outlay Funds for FY2025 

* Project ABC: Php487,302,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: Philippine Navy GAA Capital Outlay Funds for FY2025

* SARO Release/s: N/A

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Amount: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 31 August 2025 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PNHarborTugboat2025Acquisition

* Status: The project is a follow-on to the earlier Tugboats Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy, to fulfill their target numbers of having at least 6 harbor tugboats by 2028. Tender was opened on 26 July 2025, and SOBE is scheduled on 01 August 2025, which was moved twice to 13 August 2025, then to 08 September 2025.

===============

Overview:

In its proposed plans to improve its overall capabilities by 2028, the Philippine Navy included the need for at least 6 new tugboats to replace ageing assets and to support new bases.

In 2021, it raised a requirement for a new Harbor Tugboat and a new Oceangoing Tugboat, in which local shipbuilder Josefa Slipway Inc. partnered with Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. was selected to build and deliver the boats.

The shipyard delivered the boats in 2024 and was inducted to the Philippine Navy on the same year. Feedback from the Philippine Navy was said to be positive, and now they are looking to pursue the acquisition of more units.

Since the project is not pursued under the Re-Horizon 3 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the plan is to procure them using capital outlay funds of the Philippine Navy as provided in annual GAA funding.

With the Philippine Navy planning to pursue several projects under this system for FY2025, it only raised the acquisition of one harbor tugboat, with more to follow in succeeding years.

The budget allocated for this project is surprisingly large compared to the budget back in 2021 for two tugboats, which brings us to the possibility that a larger tugboat might be requested.

With the project still being tendered, it remains to be seen what design will be pursued. But since the Philippine Navy already operates the RAmparts 2700 design, it is possible that the specifications provided in the project would closely follow those of the RAmparts 2700 design, although it is also possible for the specifications to require for a larger tugboat like the RAmparts 3000 design used in the Oceangoing Tugboat requirement.

The YT-027 (left) and AT-010 (right). The size difference between the RAmparts 2700 and RAmparts 3000 design can be seen here. Photo credits from Robert Allan Ltd.

===============
===============

First edit and release: 31 August 2025
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

To improve its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities while providing its new combat warships with a proper aerial component, the Philippine Navy has requested for the acquisition of six new Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters as part of the Re-Horizon 3 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP)

This project discusses about the upcoming Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy, also known as the Anti-Submarine Helicopters Phase 2 Acquisition Project. This is to separate from an earlier project with the same/similar name.

An AW159 Wildcat naval helicopter of the Philippine Navy. 

===============

Project Summary:

Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter (aka Anti-Submarine Helicopter Phase 2) Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 26 August 2025.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Naval Air Wing)

* Quantity: 6 units including ILS and munitions

* Modernization Phase: Re-Horizon 3 Phase of RAFPMP,

* Project ABC: Php42,290,538,180.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) with still unidentified country, based on Negotiated Inventory-Based Items clause of RA12009.

* Source of Funding: TBC

* SARO Release/s: TBA

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Amount: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense:

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PNASWHelicopterPhase2Acquisition #PNASHPhase2Acquisition

* Status: The project is a follow-on to the Anti-Submarine Helicopter project implemented under Horizon 1 phase, as more surface combatants enter Philippine Navy service. Project was part of Horizon 3 proposal, and was carried over to Re-Horizon 3 phase with a slightly increased budget. Project Terms of Reference reportedly approved as of June 2025.

The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk.

===============

Overview:

The Philippine Navy has been growing its naval capabilities including introducing more major surface combatants to its fleet since 2020. These surface combatants are capable of multi-domain combat including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), among others.

With this, there is also a growing need for additional naval helicopters capable of both ASW and ASuW operations, which will complement these ships.

The Anti-Submarine Helicopter will be capable of operating from Philippine Navy ships, and will be most likely assigned to the new Miguel Malvar-class frigates, and other upcoming surface combatants including the winning designs for the Frigate (Full Complement) and Corvette (Phase 2) Acquisition Projects that are being pursued under the Re-Horizon 3 phase of the RAFPMP.

The helicopters are expected to be able to deploy a dipping sonar, have capability to interpret data from dipping sonar and sonobuoys while also working together with other naval and air assets, and will be capable of firing anti-submarine torpedoes as well as launching air-to-surface missiles.

According to sources, the Philippine Navy actually received offers from Leonardo, which is currently offering the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat that the Philippine Navy already has in service, while Sikorsky Helicopters and Airbus NH Industries are offering their MH-60R Seahawk and NH90NFH naval helicopters, respectively.

The AW159 Wildcat has an advantage, being already in service with the Philippine Navy in terms of commonality and price. It was said to be the cheapest option among the 3 offers, and is already proven with the PN.

The MH-60R Seahawk is the naval variant of the S-70 Black Hawk, in which the Philippine Air Force is becoming one of the largest operators of the S-70i Black Hawk variant. The MH-60R is the latest iteration and features improved overall capability, avionics and weapons delivery.

Surprisingly, Airbus is said to be offering the NH Industries NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), instead of the AS565MBe Panther that it offered back in the Anti-Submarine Helicopter Acquisition Project back in 2014-2016. Compared to the Panther, the NH90 is larger and far more expensive, and is actually not a 100% Airbus product but more of a product from a larger conglomerate of European aircraft companies.

Surprisingly, Airbus was said to be offering the NH90 NFH instead of the Airbus AS565MBe Panther naval helicopter. Photo credits to German Navy and Airbus.

So far, the DND was said to have positioned itself on applying the Republic Act 12009's Negotiated 53.8.1 - Inventory Based Items, which means that the DND would be procuring a product that is already in the Philippine Navy's inventory.

This places the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat in a favorable position, moreso with Leonardo actively looking for new buyers of the type as the production is currently only catering to a small order by the Algerian Navy scheduled for delivery in a few years time.

But the selection of the AW159 Wildcat also places the Philippine Navy in a difficult position considering its ally the United States, as well as its Multilateral Defense partners like Australia and Japan, and other Strategic Partners like South Korea and India, are all users of the MH-60R or SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. 

This means that the Philippine Navy may lose out in terms of being in a common fleet of naval helicopters as its expected coalition partners, having disadvantage in sharing spare parts, getting maintenance and other support with countries using the Seahawk helicopter.

It would still be determined if Leonardo will indeed win this project, or a different interpretation can be made on 53.8.1 to allow MH-60R based on the AFP being a user of the S-70A and S-70i Black Hawk derivatives.

===========
U P D A T E S:
===========

10 July 2025:

In its latest Procurement Monitoring Report as of 1st Half of 2025, the Department of National Defense has confirmed that the mode of procurement of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter Acquisition Project (Phase 2) of the Philippine Navy will be through Negotiated 53.8.1 (Inventory-Based Item) as of 05 June 2025, and that the Terms of Reference of the project was approved on 24 June 2025.

This means that acquisition of additional ASW helicopters, which we previously reported to be 6 units with a budget of Php42,290,538,180.00 will most likely be awarded to Italian defense giant Leonardo for the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat naval helicopters.

The term "Inventory-Based Item" means that the DND will be procuring based on what the Philippine Navy already has in its inventory, rather than opening a public tender which will possibly push the Philippine Navy to acquire another helicopter model depending on the winning proponent. 

So far our parent page MaxDefense Philippines has not received word if the project can push through this year, although the report mentioned that it will be financed either by Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA aka paid for in installment every year using yearly GAA funding allocations) or through Loan Financing which will make it faster for the DND to start the project.

PDR and MDP will investigate more if this project can push through this year since the Terms of Reference of the project, which is the basis of what will be the contract between the DND and the proponent, is already approved and the next process will be securing the funding and releasing a Notice of Award.

It is interesting that this project is ahead in terms of processing compared to the Frigate (Full Complement) aka Frigate Phase 2 Acquisition Project which the procurement process is yet to be approved and the terms of reference not yet approved, when sources confirmed that the DND is pushing for the Frigate's contract to be signed before yearend.

This means that there is a huge chance that the ASW Helicopter Phase 2 Acquisition may overtake the Frigate (Full Complement) and be contracted also this year. 

An AW159 Wildcat ASW helicopter of the Philippine Navy.

===============
===============
First edit and release: 26 August 2025
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

2025-27 Caliber 5.56mm M4 Rifle with Optic Sights Acquisition Project of the Philippine Coast Guard

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has raised a requirement for the acquisition of new 5.56mm Assault Rifles as part of its acquisition for Fiscal Year 2025 although funding came from 2024.

This is part of a multi-year effort to improve the overall firepower of the service, as well as replace ageing or lost/damaged assets.

With this, the Philippine Coast Guard, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invited manufacturers and suppliers to submit a bid for the Caliber 5.56mm M4 Rifle with Optical Sight for the PCG.

Project Summary:

2025-027 Caliber 5.56mm M4 Rifle with Optical Sights Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 26 August 2025

* Project Number: IB No. 2025-027

* End User: Philippine Coast Guard 

* Quantity: 1,666 units

* Modernization Phase: Philippine Coast Guard GAA Acquisition for FY2024

* Project ABC: Php299,880,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: Philippine Army GAA Funds for FY2024

* SARO Release: N/A

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Difference (Savings): TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 26 August 2025 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PCG556mmM4withOptics2025Acquisition 

* Status: Public tender was opened on 01 July 2025, with a scheduled submission and opening of bid envelopes (SOBE) scheduled on 28 July 2025. 

==============

Overview:

For the last few years, the Philippine Coast Guard has been investing more in various weapons including pistols, machine guns, sub machine guns, sniper rifles, grenade launchers and assault rifles as part of its modernization drive and acquired from Israel under the PCG's Firearms Acquisition Project.

As an example, its most recent acquisitions include 4,357 units of IWI Galil ACE 21N 5.56x45mm assault rifles with 8.5” barrels.

As the PCG requires more assault rifles to replace damaged or those too old to refurbish, it has now raised a requirement for another 1,666 units.

It still remains unknown if the acquisition would also be used to cover a possible increase in Coast Guard SOG personnel or just replace old units.

Further updates will be provided once they become available.

===============
===============

First edit and release: 26 August 2025
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

ORD-PABAC2-046-24 Light Machine Gun, 5.56mm Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army

The Philippine Army (PA) has raised a requirement for the acquisition of new 5.56mm Light Machine Guns using funding for their General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.

This was to fill in requirements to either replace existing units, and also replace lost and damaged/written off units.

With this, the Philippine Army, through its Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC2), invited manufacturers and suppliers of light machine guns to submit a bid for the Light Machine Gun, 5.56mm (2025) Acquisition Project. While the project was funded using 2024-sourced budget, this was opened for tender only in 2025.

Project Summary:

Squad Automatic Weapon (2025) Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 03 August 2025

* Project Number: ORD-PABAC2-046-24

* End User: Philippine Army (Special Operations Command)

* Quantity: 211 units

* Modernization Phase: Philippine Army GAA Acquisition for FY2024

* Project ABC: Php161,757,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: Philippine Army GAA Funds for FY2024

* SARO Release: N/A

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Difference (Savings): TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 03 August 2025 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PA556mmLMG2025Acquisition 

* Status: Public tender was opened on 14 July 2025, with a scheduled submission and opening of bid envelopes (SOBE) scheduled on 05 August 2025. This was rescheduled to 19 August 2025 after a request from FN Herstal.

==============

Overview:

It has been years since the Philippine Army acquired new 5.56mm squad automatic weapons in significant numbers, as the last effort for such was made in the late 2000s when it acquired more the 6,500 brand new K3 light machine guns from S&T Daewoo of South Korea.

Prior to that, an earlier acquisition was made for more than 400 units of the FN Herstal Minimi squad automatic weapons.

Since then, it is expected that the Philippine Army already lost some of them to enemy action or ambushes or have been written off due to damage.

Based on the technical specifications, it is highly likely that these machine guns would be for the Special Operations units assigned with the AFP's Special Operations Command including the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Forces Regiment, and Light Reaction Regiment.

For this acquisition, the Philippine Army only plans to procure 211 units, although it now follows a new strategy in the procurement of firearms which is now being done using General Appropriations Act (GAA) yearly funding rather than relying on the AFP Modernization Program.

Thus, it is expected that acquisitions will be done in smaller numbers, but several procurements will be made over the next few years.

A Philippine Army squad automatic rifleman with a S&T Motiv K3 SAW. 

Technical Requirements:

The Philippine Army provided what it says is their standard technical specifications for 5.56mm light machine guns, with some of the important features listed below:

Firearm Specifications:
Caliber: 5.56mm x 45mm NATO
Barrel: quick changeable, made of high-grade alloy or stainless steel,1:7 rifling, 8in.  RH rifling twist, chrome lined chamber and bore, with folding carrying handle
Sights: Adjustable post type iron sights at front, adjustable open aperture-type iron sight on rear.
Gas Regulator: adjustable gas control

Rate of Fire: 700 to 1,000 rounds per minute

Overall Length: 950mm maximum

Overall Weight w/o Accessories: 7.85 kilograms maximum

Barrel Length: 330 - 365mm
Trigger Pull: 7.5 to 16 pounds pull weight, trigger pull free from creep
Butt stock: Retractable or collapsible, with minimum of 4 positions, with hydraulic recoil buffer type system, and non-slip butt plate

Receiver Assembly Material Composition: High-grade aluminum alloy and/or Carbon Alloy and/or Steel and/or Titanium  
Top Mount Rail: MIL STD 1913 Picatinny rail

Operating System: Gas-Operated, Long Stroke Piston
Firing Mode: minimum of Safe and Full Automatic 
Feeding: capable of accepting STANAG 4179  magazine, or disintegrating metallic link belt

Major Accessories:
* 2 x 30-round STANAG 4179 aluminum or polymer magazines per LMG
* 2 x 200-round linked capacity polymer or water resistant fabric ammunition bag
* 1 x 2-point Tactical Sling per LMG
* 1 x Spare Barrel per LMG


One of the major differences in the specifications for 5.56mm light machine guns of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Marine Corps is the operating system, as the Philippine Army specifies for a long stroke gas piston system, while the Philippine Marine Corps does not specify as long as it uses a gas operated system.

Benchmarking o the FN Minimi:

To discuss what we may expect, lets focus our dissecting the specifications to the most likely benchmark, which is the FN Herstal Minimi, specifically the current Mk.3 variant.

This is due to FN Herstal being among those that participated in the Pre-Tender Conference, as we as not asking for any changes in the technical specifications which means that they have a product that complies with it.

While FN Herstal also has the new Evolys Ultralight 5.56mm machine gun, it does not meet several requirements of the technical specifications, automatically removing it from the potential offerings.

A summary table on the FN Minimi 5.56 Mk3 series. Credits to FN Herstal.

FN Herstal currently has 5 variants of their Minimi Mk3, which includes the Standard variant and Tactical LB (Long Barrel) that uses the 465mm barrel length, and the Tactical SB (Short Barrel), SF (Special Forces) and Para which all have the shorter 379mm barrel length.

Based on barrel length, both the Standard and tactical LB variants do not meet the barrel length specs which limits it to between 330 to 365mm long.

Despite having the same barrel length, all 3 short-barrel Minimis have varying overall weights.

With the maximum weight set at 7.85 kilograms, only the Tactical SF and Para version meet the requirements while the Tactical SB variant is slightly overweight.

The final difference between the Tactical SF and Para will be on the butt stock. While both uses retractable designs, only the Tactical SF meets the requirement for a hydraulic recoil buffer system.

So it is most likely that FN Herstal will offer their Minimi Mk.3 Tactical SF variant for this requirement, which also gives us an idea that the machine guns are most likely for Special Operations units

Infographic on the Minimi 5.56mm Mk3 SF, credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

Other Potential Offers:

While it is known that both FN Herstal and System Defense showed interest in the project, it is possible that more companies may show interest in supplying these requirements.

Being one of the world's major users of the S&T Motiv (now SNT Motiv) K3, the Philippine Army may also be looking at the company's new K15 5.56mm machine gun, which is aimed at replacing the K3 and fixing issues on the old model.

So far, SNT Motiv has not provided too many details on their K15, although it appears that it only has 2 models - a Standard variant with long barrel, and a Para variant with a shorter barrel. 

While the Para variant meets the weight, barrel and overall length requirements, it also probably suffering from the same issue as the Minimi Para with regards to the butt stock.

While the Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Negev NG5 SF meets many of the requirements, its gas operated short stroke gas piston fails to meet the requirements, as the technical specifications calls for a long stroke piston design,

Infographic on the IWI Negev NG5 SF, credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

With the recent selection by the Philippine Marine Corps of the Mertsav Defense Systems MMG762, which is said to be a copy of the FN Herstal Minimi 7.62, it is also possible that Mertsav Defense Systems might be interested to participate in offering their MMG556, which is a copy of the Minimi 5.56.

Their MMG556C variant appears to be a copy of the Minimi 5.56 SF, also featuring a short barrel and long stroke gas piston system, while dimensions and weight are all within the technical specifications.

It is highly possible for it to compete against the Minimi, and may have a price advantage, although it remains to be seen if there is an agreement between FN Herstal and Mertsav Defense Systems to not compete with each other.

The Mertsav MMG556C also meets the requirements of the Philippine Army. Photo credits to Mertsav Defense Systems.

============

U P D A T E S:
============

30 July 2025:

Two Supplemental Bid Bulletins was released on 29 July 2025, which extended the Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes from 05 August 2025 to 19 August 2025.

Contract delivery duration was also extended from 300 calendar days to 460 calendar days

It appears that the request for both the extension of submission date and delivery date was made by Belgian firearms manufacturer FN Herstal SA.

There was a request from Turkish arms company System Defense for considering a gas operated short stroke operating system, in contrast to the technical specifications which says gas operated long stroke operating system. The request was denied since the technical specifications was already set and further changes will not be easy.

===============
===============

First edit and release: 03 August 2025
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

Presidential Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force

The Philippine Air Force has requested for the acquisition of a new Presidential Aircraft, which would be used to  the President and the First Family, as well as other high-level government officials during official travels especially overseas.

With this, the Presidential Aircraft Acquisition Project was included in the Re-Horizon 3 phase priority projects. 

The Airbus Corporate Jets ACJ321neo. Photo credits to Aircharter Advisors.

Project Summary:

Presidential Aircraft Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 26 July 2025.
 
* End User: Philippine Air Force (250th Presidential Airlift Wing)

* Quantity: 1 units, plus unspecified subsystems and ILS package

* Modernization Phase: Re-Horizon 3 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php8,813,750,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Direct Contracting

* Source of Funding: Multi-Year Contractual Authority for (X) years, using General Appropriations Act (GAA) from FY2025 to FY200X.

* SARO Release/s: TBA

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA

* Contract Price: TBA

* Residual Amount: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 15 June 2022

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAFPresidentialAircraftAcquisition 

* Status: The project was included as part of the Re-Horizon 3 phase of the RAFPMP. The project's Terms of Reference are still being finalized as of 01 July 2025.


Overview:

The acquisition of a presidential aircraft has always been a sensitive issue in the Philippines, as spending billions of pesos on an aircraft that will fly the country's president around seems insensitive when the country has financial issues to pay for social services and needs of the general public.

But what many fail to understand is that, being the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the country's leader will need to be able to move around easily, both domestic and overseas, as part of his/her duties. And will also need to be done with high regard to safety, security, and capability to continue managing the affairs of the country wherever may be.

While there have been earlier attempts to procure a presidential of VVIP aircraft, this sensitivity has been a factor, thus the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Air Force previously made efforts to downplay such acquisition.

First, the project was renamed as the "Command and Control Aircraft" which is in fact a basic feature of a presidential aircraft, but the name allows it to downplay and concerns that it was in fact a VVIP aircraft with communications features.

Secondly, the DND and PAF made efforts to reduce the overall cost of such acquisition by selecting a small business jet aircraft capable only of domestic or regional air travel. In fact, the previous acquisition of the Gulfstream G280 as part of the Horizon 2 phase was too downplayed that in the end, the aircraft appears to be too small (the G280 is among the smallest business jets in the market today) to be used as a presidential aircraft for official travels, but only suitable for quick flights within the country.

In the end, the DND and PAF still relies on chartering either larger business jets (as in the recent trip to the United States by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a meeting with US President Donald Trump), or larger medium-long range airlines from Philippine Airlines.

Chartered aircraft usually do not have the extra requirements of a proper presidential aircraft, which includes customized layout to allow for a "flying office", a private room for the president and the first family, as well as lacking in military-spec secured communications equipment that allows for interoperability with existing communication systems of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Chartered aircraft are also more suited to passengers in volume, thus the presence of too many economy seats especially for a Government delegation that requires more tables and premium sleep-able seats.

With these capabilities lacking, it has been determined that having a proper presidential aircraft is needed, not just for travels but also for emergency when the high government officials including the president will need to be flown somewhere else for safety while continuing coordination with the rest of the government or the military.

The BBJ 737 MAX 9. Photo credits to Boeing.

Procurement Analysis:

Under Re-Horizon 3, a budget of Php8,813,750,000 (roughly US$157 million) was allocated for the procurement of a presidential aircraft.

This budget is, to be frank, very low to allow for the acquisition of a medium or long haul customized VIP aircraft like the Boeing Business Jet BBJ-787 and BBJ-777, and the Airbus Corporate Jets ACJ-330neo and ACJ350.

Instead, the budget might allow for a smaller aircraft like the ACJ319/320/321neo or or the BBJ737 MAX-7/8/9.

Other options may include customized but simpler versions based on the Airbus A320neo or A321neo, or the Boeing B737 MAX 7/8/9 variants.

It will eventually depend on what the specifications require, it there will be a lot of customizations required including the level of luxury features.

If extra space is needed to allow non-VIP additional seating for passengers like media/press personnel, low-level government or military officials,etc., it is best for the consideration of the longer variants which includes the ACJ321neo or the BBJ737 MAX-9.

Both Airbus and Boeing are capable of delivering the aircraft, but it will depend on price, inclusions, support, and probably political reasons as to what aircraft will be selected.

So far, the Philippine Air Force has better relations with Airbus due to the presence of the Airbus-CASA C-295M/W aircraft in its fleet as well as existing support agreements, while there are no Boeing aircraft in the PAF's inventory.

But with the recent meeting of Pres. Marcos and US Pres. Trump, there might be some considerations made to give Boeing an incentive to finally have something for the AFP considering its failure to achieve an order for its offerings which include the F-15EX Eagle II fighter, AH-64E Apache Guardian and AH-6  attack helicopters, CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopter, and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Length difference of the BBJ 737-7, 737-8 and 737-9. Photo credits to Boeing Business Jets.

Both Airbus and Boeing are capable of delivering the aircraft, but it will depend on price, inclusions, support, and probably political reasons as to what aircraft will be selected.

So far, the Philippine Air Force has better relations with Airbus due to the presence of the Airbus-CASA C-295M/W aircraft in its fleet as well as existing support agreements, while there are no Boeing aircraft in the PAF's inventory.

But with the recent meeting of Pres. Marcos and US Pres. Trump, there might be some considerations made to give Boeing an incentive to finally have something for the AFP considering its failure to achieve an order for its offerings which include the F-15EX Eagle II fighter, AH-64E Apache Guardian and AH-6  attack helicopters, CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopter, and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Boeing also has an advantage considering the Philippines uses mostly American-sourced communications equipment which will make it easier to do with Boeing in terms of technical and political reasons.

Another concern is range. Airbus claims that the ACJ320 has an flying endurance of up to 15 hours or a range of up to 6,750 nautical miles, while Boeing claims the BBJ737 can also have a flying endurance of 15 hours and a range of around 6,600 nautical miles.

This range is enough for the aircraft to fly from Manila to Los Angeles, California at normal cruising/economy speed.

Whatever the selection may be, this would definitely improve the way the Commander in Chief would be flying, with the aircraft good enough to have the callsign "Kalayaan One".

============
U P D A T E S:
============

===============
===============

First edit and release: 26 July 2025
Copyright Philippine Defense Resource / MaxDefense Philippines