2 brand new anti-submarine helicopters to arrive this Sept- Navy Chief

And now for some good news for the Philippine Navy.

The dragging Senate hearing re the first frigate deal for the Philippine Navy has taken its toll, in terms of whether or not will still be pushed through.Earlier this week Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that the Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) is aboveboard and has complied strictly with the country’s procurement laws.

"The DND is ensuring that the procurement process for the frigates are done and completed strictly in accordance with our laws, namely, Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, and 10349 (the Revised AFP Modernization Program)," he added. *

Leonardo's AW159 Wildcat ship based anti-submarine helicopters (photo credit to owner)
 

The FAP was put into controversy when reports surfaced that there alleged preference for a particular brand for the combat management system (CMS) which will be used for the two frigates.

The Department of National Defense stands by its decision to use Hanwha CMS for the two ships which is the one also being pushed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), while former Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado is batting for the Thales Tacticos system of the Netherlands.

"For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a chance to own a modern state-of-the-art military hardware such as the two frigates which we are acquiring for the Philippine Navy for the first time ever. This is the biggest single procurement so far in the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," he added.

Anti-submarine warfare(ASW) helicopters

The two brand new AugustaWestland AW159 "Wildcats" anti-submarine warfare(ASW) helicopters is due to be delivered this coming September this was confirmed by Navy flag-officer-in-command (FOIC)  Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad when he was interviewed over the weekend during the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming in Baguio City.

“Oo, may darating na chopper sa September of this year, dalawa,” the Navy FOIC said. *

The two anti-submarine warfare helicopters will be based on the two frigates that is sadly its creation is being investigated in the Senate.

“Kasama ng frigate ‘yun supposed to be, laging sakay sa frigate dapat ‘yun,” Empedrad said.

The helicopters will be delivered way ahead of the two frigates because the Navy procured it even before the deal for the warships were signed.

The AW-159 is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.

The “Wildcat” has a crew of two, has a maximum speed of 291 km/h (181 mph), range of 777 km (483 miles), ferry range of 963 km (598 miles) and an endurance of one and a-half hours (fours hours and 30 minutes if fitted with an auxiliary fuel tank).

 

Report from GMANews