Philippines Military and Politics

Israeli military exports to the Philippines

At the beginning of September 2018, with the first official visit, the President of the Philippines (since 30.06.16) Rodrigo Duterte visited Israel as head of state. The visit lasted 4 days (02-05.09.18), Dutherte was accompanied by a delegation of 400 people, including. high-ranking military leaders and representatives of the power ministries planning to visit Israeli military bases and exchange of experience (according to other sources, the delegation was more "modest", 130 people, although perhaps the military was a separate delegation). The visit was the first visit to Israel of the current president of the Philippines. By the way, in 1973-2000. Dutterte was married to an American Jewess Elizabeth Zimmermann (with whom he was not officially divorced), has 3 children in this marriage, his daughter Sarah Dutterte-Caprio also participated in the visit.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Philippines were established in 1957. However, until the 2010s. virtually no military exports to the Philippines from Israel nebylo.

Export activation began in 2014. SIPRI reports the following transactions:

• 2014 - 12 EL / M-2032 radar for 12 South Korean combat aircraft FA-50 (light fighter-attack aircraft, created on the basis of training aircraft T-50 Golden Eagle, the Philippines received the aircraft version FA-50PH in 2015-2017; it is possible to purchase another 12);

• 2014 - UT-25 turret of Elbit Systems Land and C4I for modernization of the M113A2 BTR; 4 turrets were obtained in 2015 (according to Wikipedia data, 6 more M113A2 equipped with Elbit turrets with 12.7 mm Elbit Dragon RCWS machine guns, in 2019 another 44 turrets will be delivered, and 5 M113A2 will be armed with Elbit 81- mm mortars);

• 2015 - 3 EL / M-2288 AD-STAR radars for $ 56 million - search radars for air defense and air traffic control;

• 2015 - 12 second-hand M-71 guns and 240 high-explosive shells to them, received in 2017; 6 guns for the MP, 6 for the SW of the Philippines; the cost of the transaction - from about 8.3 million dollars, more details in the article "The history of the production of artillery guns by the company" Soltam ";

2016 - Spike-ER ATGM for arming MPAC Mk 3 assault boats, deliveries from 2017; MPAC (Multipurpose Assault Craft) is being built in the Philippines since 2009, version Mk3 is from 2017; On May 22, 17, three boats of this type (BA-488, BA-489 and BA-491) were commissioned, each carrying a Rafael Mini Typhoon turret (with a 12.7mm machine gun) and a Raphael Typhoon MLS-ER ( for 4 Spike-ER missiles); 22.08.18 boats and their weapons, including ATGM, were officially declared combat-ready; plans to build a series of three MPAC Mk4 boats with similar weapons;

• 2016 - ATGM Spike-NLOS for the arming of helicopters AW159.

Also, it was reported on the supply of the Combat-NG fire control systems to the Philippines by Elbit.

In addition to all of the above, according to the article AFP Modernization Act (AFP - Armed Forces of the Philippines) Wikipedia:

- It is possible to purchase the Raffael SAM;
- It is possible to purchase a Rafael MLRS and IMI;
- It is possible to purchase 12 ATMOS ATMs (155 mm, truck-based) from Elbit;
- the purchase of fighters is being studied, and IAI "Kfir" Block 60 - among candidates;
- delivery of equipment "Elbit" for new helicopters;
- Supply of equipment from various Israeli companies for new frigates.

Just before Dutherte's visit to Israel, it was published:

in the past, the Philippines has almost closed the contract for the purchase of Israeli MLRS, but then abolished it, transferring the budget to the fight against terrorism; now the purchase of MLRS with the corrected missiles is again relevant, the IMI products compete in the South Korean MLRS K136 Kooryong;

IAI and Israeli Shipyards compete for a $ 71 million contract to supply the Coast Guard of the Philippines with high-speed patrol boats - Super Court and Shaldag, respectively; Both types can carry turret "Typhoon" produced by "Raphael".

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3340931.html

Philippines decided to buy Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters and American Black Hawk

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3446367.html

George1 wrote:Philippines decided to buy Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters and American Black Hawk

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3446367.html

It seems despite Duterte’s resentment of the west, he is powerless to influence the military decision makers in the country, given that the main reason for not purchasing Russian military hardware is because of the threat of Sanctions from the US, they should at least refrain from buying military hardware from the bully (US) to deny them any benefit.

The real problem there is that you can buy from Russia, the Bully, or Europe, and most of the time Europe is the most expensive option.

The real question is... were the sanctions going to affect the Phillipines, or just the military... was this a military centric decision, or a for the country decision?

From what we know from Duterte... if it was up to him I would expect him to say fk the US... as you say... giving in to bullies gives them their power and makes them continue bullying as a practise.

Correction: Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty..

Philippines Defense Secretary Wants Review of US Treaty to Avoid War With China

Philippines received two AW159 anti-submarine helicopters

On June 17, 2019, during the events marking the 121st anniversary of the Philippine Navy, held at the Philippine naval base Heracleo Alano in Cavite, near Manila, a ceremony was held to introduce two new anti-ship Leonardo AW159 Wildcat helicopters to the Philippine Navy. They became the first specialized anti-submarine helicopters of the Philippine fleet and entered the composition of the 40th naval helicopter squadron (MH-40) of the aviation wing of naval aviation. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attended the ceremony.





https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3682746.html

Duterte tells the US to stop baiting the Philippines to start a conflict against China.

Philippines buys Japanese radar stations

According to Philippine media, the Philippine Department of Homeland Defense has selected Japanese ground-based radar for detecting air targets for purchase to modernize the Philippine Air Force airspace control system. The decision to award a contract to the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (part of the Mitsubishi group) worth 5.5 billion Philippine pesos (about $ 103 million) was made on March 4, the contract itself must be signed on an intergovernmental basis within 60 days.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3960014.html

Philippines received six Super Tucano light combat aircraft

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4164574.html

Philippines buys Sabrah armored vehicle family from Israeli company Elbit Systems

The original was taken from a colleague oleggranovsky in " Elbit Maarahot" won tenders for the supply of light tanks and armored personnel carriers to the Philippines In the article "New contracts and negotiations on the supply of Israeli arms to the Philippines" from January this year, I already wrote about the participation of [the Israeli company] "Elbit Maarahot" [ Elbit Systems] in a tender for the supply of the Philippine army of light tanks and wheeled tank destroyers (8x8). And now, according to the Maxdefense website, the winner has been chosen - the group led by Elbit. The first reports about this appeared on 10/04/2020, more detailed - 10/23/2020. According to Maxdefense, the Philippines MoD notified the Israel MoD of Elbit's victory several months ago.



"Elbit", as you know, does not produce its own BTT. However, it produces a large number of systems for BTT, incl. remote controlled turrets, OMS, computer-based communication system E-LynX, battle management system Torch-X, etc. With the purchase of the Israeli Military Industry (TAAS, IMI), Elbit inherited the production of 105- and 120-mm tank guns and ammunition for them, as well as IMI projects in the field of modernization of armored vehicles. One such project was the Sabra tank , a modernization of the American M60. 170 of these tanks (Sabra Mk II variant) were modernized in Turkey, locally designated M60T.

Some time ago "Elbit" presented the concept of a light tank, also called "Sabra" (but in English the name is written slightly differently: Sabrah). More precisely, we are talking about a tower that can be installed on various tracked and wheeled platforms. In creating the Elbit tower, she used the help of the Office for the Development of the Merkava Tank and BTT in the Israeli Defense Ministry (MANTAK).

A detailed description of "Sabra" is available on the company's website... The turret is armed with a low-impulse 105-mm rifled cannon with a barrel length of 52 caliber (105 / L52). Loading - from an automatic loader for 12 shots, 24 more are in the case. The cannon's rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute, the effective firing range is 3,600 m. A 7.62-mm machine gun with an ammunition load of 500 rounds is paired with the cannon, and another 1,500 are in the hull. Also, 8 smoke grenade launchers of 76 mm caliber are installed on the tower, and if the customer wishes, an ATGM launcher with 2 guides can be installed.

As a tracked base for the Philippine contract, the ASCOD 2 armored personnel carrier from General Dynamics European Land Systems (joint production in Austria and Spain) was used. As a wheel - Czech Excalibur Group Pandur II(respectively, production in the Czech Republic). All tanks will be armed with a 105mm cannon and equipped with the E-LynX and Torch-X systems. PU ATGM are not included in the package.

So, the contract includes the following products in the amount of 9,484,332,000 Philippine pesos, i.e. approximately $ 196 million:

1. 18 tanks "Sabra" based on ASCOD 2;

1. 10 Sabra tanks based on Pandur II;

1. 1 command vehicle ASCOD 2 (armored command vehicle);

1. 1 ARV based on ASCOD 2 (armored recovery vehicle);

1. unspecified 105mm ammunition stock

In addition, Elbit is also responsible for the supply of 28 wheeled armored personnel carriers (6x6) IVECO Guarani (made in Italy) in the amount of 2,265,200,000 Philippine pesos, i.e. approximately $ 47 million. All armored personnel carriers are equipped with turrets with a 12.7-mm machine gun and a 40-mm grenade launcher, there is also the option of installing a remotely controlled turret with a 12.7-mm machine gun. All armored personnel carriers are equipped with E-LynX and Torch-X systems.

It should be noted that the initial requests of the Philippine army were for 144 light tanks and 114 wheeled armored personnel carriers, i.e. there is a difference of 116 tanks and 86 armored personnel carriers. This means that within the framework of the 3rd phase of the modernization of the army (2023-2027), Elbit may receive additional contracts.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4172504.html

So the US is renewing its push to force the Philippines to adopt anti Chinese policies in relation to the South China sea dispute  

https://asiatimes.com/2020/11/us-missile-sale-to-philippines-fires-up-china/?mc_cid=8dacb806b2&mc_eid=5455568640

Philippines received first six S-70i helicopters

On February 26, 2021, in Subic Bay, the official entry into the Philippine Navy of the FF 151 Antonio Luna frigate was held - the second in a series of two units built by the South Korean corporation Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under a 2016 contract under the HDF-2600 project.





https://dambiev.livejournal.com/2239009.html

Philippines signs preliminary agreement to acquire BrahMos missiles

On March 2, 2021, at Camp Aguinaldo, Deputy Minister of National Defense of the Philippines Raimondo Elefante and Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambu S. Kumaran signed an Implementing Agreement on the conclusion of intergovernmental contracts for the purchase of military equipment by the Ministry of National Defense of the Philippines and weapons in India. At the signing ceremony, Philippine Minister of National Defense Dolphin Lorenzana said: "We are buying BrahMos missiles."

Lorenzana said the signed agreement will serve as a guide for India and the Philippines on "defense procurement policies and procedures" and "will become the legal basis for public procurement through the intergovernmental mechanism." It is believed that the main content of the agreement is the agreement on the intention of the Philippines to acquire the BrahMos coastal mobile missile system with supersonic missiles produced by the Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. However, the agreement itself is not a contract.

In 2020, Indian media reported that India offered the Philippines a $ 100 million credit line
for the purchase of Indian weapons systems, most notably BrahMos missiles, but now a Filipino government source involved in the deal said the amount of the Indian loan could be higher.
In January 2020, the CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, Sudhir Mishra, visited the Philippines to discuss the sale of the BrahMos missile system to them.

Recall that the Philippines since 2016 have shown interest in the purchase of the BrahMos coastal mobile missile system with supersonic missiles produced by the Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. It was reported that since 2019, negotiations were underway regarding the purchase for the Philippine army under the Land-Based Missile System (LBMS) program of two ground mobile batteries of the BrahMos missile complex, and the Filipinos even demonstrated a mock-up of their version of the launcher on a semi-trailer with the South Korean KIA KM500 tractor. In addition, in the spring of 2020, there were reports of the intention to purchase three batteries of the BrahMos complex also by the Philippine Navy. However, in early December 2020, the Philippine government decided to postpone, for financial reasons, the purchase of the BrahMos missile system for the Philippine army due to the need to allocate funds to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Now, apparently, there has been a return to this topic.

If the Philippines purchases BrahMos complexes, it will be the first export delivery of this complex.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4269275.html

The Philippines received the second batch of Sikosrky S-70 Black Hawk multipurpose helicopters

On June 7, 2020, the Philippines received the second batch of five Sikosrky S-70 Black Hawk multipurpose helicopters, built at the Sikorsky PZL-Mielec plant in Poland. The helicopters were delivered to the Clark airbase of the Philippine Air Force on the island of Luzon by An-124 transport aircraft of the Ukrainian company Antonov Airlines. The first batch of five helicopters was delivered to the Philippines on November 9, 2020. The contract for the supply of 16 S-70i "Black Hawk" multipurpose helicopters to this country was signed in April 2019. The purchase was implemented as part of the second phase of the modernization program for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The contract value was about $ 240 million.





https://dambiev.livejournal.com/2342170.html

The Philippines signed a contract for the purchase of BrahMos missile systems

On January 28, 2022, at Camp Aguinaldo Philippine Armed Forces Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana and Atul Dinkar Rane, CEO of India-Russia Joint Venture BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, signed a contract to supply the Philippine Navy with three coastal mobile anti-ship missile systems. with supersonic missiles BrahMos Block I with a total cost of 18.9 billion Philippine pesos (374.9628 million dollars). Thus, the first export sale of BrahMos missiles of joint Indian-Russian production took place.



Earlier, the Minister of National Defense of the Philippines, Delfin Lorenzana, said that deliveries of the BrahMos complex to the Philippines would begin "within a year." Complexes in the form of three batteries should form the armament of the coastal defense regiment planned for formation as part of the Marine Corps of the Philippine Navy.

It is reported that each complex (battery) will include three mobile launchers and a command post.

The contract is partly funded by a soft loan from the Government of India. In 2020, Indian media reported that India had offered the Philippines a $100 million credit line for the purchase of Indian weapons systems, primarily BrahMos missiles, but in early 2021, a Philippine government source involved in preparing the deal said that the amount of the Indian loan maybe more.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4476198.html

So a few days ago, the US embassy in Manila started whining about reclamation projects in Manila Bay, the US embassy spokesperson has insisted that one of the companies involved in the ongoing reclamation project was a so called "Blacklisted" Chinese firm








In another occasion, the US Embassy talked about how the reclamation project is causing "environmental damage" to the surrounding areas.






However, the main reason for their complain is none of the circumstances mentioned above


As can be clearly seen in the map below, the reclamation projects will be blocking the embassy's open access to the bay






The US embassy seems to feel that they are entitled to have the entire bay area for themselves and has decided to make a lot of fuss about the reclamation project by throwing random accusations ranging from mythical "blacklisted Chinese companies" to fake environmental concerns.