PHL procures 3 naval choppers amid territorial dispute
December 27, 2012 2:13pm
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has signed a contract with an Anglo-Italian firm for the acquisition of three multipurpose helicopters worth P1.33 billion for the use of the Philippine Navy.
In a statement Thursday, Gazmin said the acquisition of the three AW 109 Power helicopters “is one concrete step towards the fulfillment of our goal to modernize the Philippine Navy, and our Armed Forces in general.”
According to AugustaWestland SPA, with which the contract was signed last December 20, the AW 109 Power “is a versatile aircraft that offers the highest level of benefits for government and military markets, combining optimum performance with cost-effectiveness. The Power’s flexibility allows it to perform a wide variety of missions for military forces. The Power is valued by operators and pilots alike for its outstanding performance, reliability and ease of maintenance combined with mission flexibility, high speed and productivity.”
The purchase occurred as the country is embroiled in a territorial dispute with China over the Spratly Islands, a chain islands and islets in the West Philippine Sea that are believed to be rich in mineral and oil.
“With the other projects in the pipeline and our planned acquisition, we are now louder and clearer in our intent to upgrade the capability of our AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to address its constitutional duty to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory,” Gazmin said.
The acquisition project was done through a negotiated procurement, in keeping with Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.
The supplier was declared as the single calculated and responsive proponent by the Naval Helicopter Acquisition Project Negotiating Committee. Upon the recommendation of the Defense Department's Bids and Awards Committee, Gazmin issued a notice of award last December 4.
The Italian defense ministry had also conducted a review of AugustaWestland’s proposal, which comes with related logistics support, and established that the price “seems to have been progressively cheaper.”
Several other high-ticket items are in the pipeline for acquisition under the military’s modernization program, including more modern vessels and aircraft for the Navy and Air Force.
Last December 20, AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa signed a contract with the Kia Motors Corp. for the delivery of 60 units of 1 ¼-ton field ambulance and five-ton trucks for the Army.
The signing of the P300.78 million contract was witnessed by senior defense and military officials
“We are now louder and clearer in our call to modernize. These will help save lives and protect our forces in the field,” said Gazmin of the procurement of ambulances and trucks
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