AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles to be delivered this year -DND

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has seen its glory days, during the 1960’s where our military was ranked just behind Japan, from there it was all downward trend.

Good thing for the past several years, we are slowly picking up the pieces.

The Department of National Defense (DND) just announced that the country can now expect the delivery of the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles, which will be the primary armament of the South Korean FA-50 "Fighting Eagle" light-interim fighter aircraft, will start within this year.

AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missile (photo credit to owner)

"They (Sidewinder missiles) will be delivered within the year," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said to the Philippine News Agency(PNA) when pressed for updates on the weapons project.

Once the missiles arrive, Andolong said the FA-50s will definitely have more "fangs" to use in protecting the country's airspace aside from its 20mm automatic cannon.

DND issued a Notice to Proceed to Diehl Raytheon of Germany on August 31, 2017.

The "Sidewinder" contract is worth PHP1,016,734,088.

For security reasons, the number of actual missiles was not disclosed to the public.

Andolong said the "weapons are sufficient for all of the country's FA-50s." 

Andolong earlier said all AIM-9s to be acquired are "all live rounds and fresh from the factory", meaning all of its sensors, rocket motors and warheads are brand-new.

The AIM-9, which was developed by the US Navy in the 1950s, is one of the world's most reliable and successful air-to-air missiles. It utilizes infrared homing for guidance and tracking and has a top speed of Mach 3 or three times the speed of sound.

The missile's warhead weighs around 20 pounds and it has a length of nine feet and 11 inches. 

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Report from PNA