Force Protection Equipment - Ballistic Helmet and Body Armor (2004) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army (Joint Project with the Philippine Navy)
The Philippine Army and Philippine Navy both raised a requirement for new Force Protection Equipment consisting of Ballistic Helmets and Body Armor as part of efforts to improve the protection of its troops as part of their modernization efforts in 2004.
The common requirement has allowed for both service to combine their procurement, allowing economies of scale and ease of contracting.
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| Body armor and ballistic helmet from Oriental Industry (now Samyang Comtech). Photo credits to Travel Archieve @ Flickr. |
Project Summary:
Force Protection Equipment - Ballistic Helmets and Body Armor (2004) Acquisition Project (Joint Acquisition with the Philippine Navy):
Note: Edited as of 09 August 2026
* End User: Philippine Navy (Marine Corps); Philippine Army (multiple units)
* Quantity: * 8,100 units Ballistic Helmets (Navy - 5,000 units; Army - 3,100 units)
* 3,100 units Body Armor (Army - 3,100 units)
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php135,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Atlanta Industries (Philippines) - Oriental Industry (South Korea) Joint Venture
* Product for Delivery: Oriental Industry KH-B2000 Helmet Level III-A, Oriental Industry Special Armor Vest II Body Armor Plate Carrier and Plates Level III-A
* Contract Price: Php129,597,700.00
* Residual Amount: Php5,402,000.00
* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAPNFPE2004Acquisition
* Status: Project was implemented through Public Bidding, with SOBE held on 28 May 2004. Two tenderers were qualified, but the bid from Atlanta Industries - Oriental Industry Joint Venture was the lowest calculated bidder, with the contract signed on 30 September 2004. First batch of 3,936 units of ballistic helmets and 200 body armor vests were delivered by 15 October 2005, with the rest of the items delivered by 02 December 2005. The DND reported that the project was completed as of December 2005. PROJECT COMPLETED.
Overview:
In 2004, the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, through the Philippine Navy, are both in need of acquiring force protection equipment for their troops as part of efforts to standardize such equipment to front line units.
Both land armed services are notorously known for lacking force protection equipment for its troops compared to regional peers, with only special operation units being prioritized with such equipment.
In this case, the Philippine Army is looking to acquire 3,100 pairs of ballistic helmets and body armor, while the Philippine Marine Corps is looking to acquire 5,000 ballistic helmets. Having both project combined with a similar set of standards allows for economies of scale in their acquisition, as well as combining the procurement process.
Two suppliers were able to meet the criteria as part of the public tender held on early 2004, but the Joint Venture of Filipino company Atlanta Industries and South Korean ballistic protection solution manufacturer Oriental Industry (now known as Samyang Comtech) was declared the lowest calculated bidder and won the tender.
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| The delivered FPEs are similar to those used by the Republic of Korea Army in 2005. Photo credits to Body Armor News. |
Atlanta-Oriental JV delivered the first batch of FPEs, consisting of 3,936 units of ballistic helmets and 200 body armor vests on 15 October 2005, with the rest of the items delivered by 02 December 2005. The DND reported that the project was completed as of December 2005.
Based on the photos made available by the DND back in 2006, the Ballistic Helmets were of PASGT-type design, while the body armor are similar to the ROK Army's Type 2 plate carrier with some variations to suit Philippine requirements.
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First edit and release: 09 August 2026
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
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