The Philippines Department of National Defense has started its move to gain support from the national government to fund the 2nd phase of the AFP Modernization Program which will be from 2018 to 2023. This stage will mark the start of acquisition of more advanced frigates and corvettes, multirole fighters, submarines, and other big-ticket defense articles, which will continue on until the 3rd stage. Posted the entire article from PNA as they usually take it out from their website only less than 2 days after posting. Photos of JAS-39 Gripen and Type 214 submarine for illustration purposes only. #### PHL needs more than Php90B to fund second phase of AFP modernization By Priam F. Nepomuceno MANILA, Jan. 7 (PNA) -- A ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official announced that the country may need more than Php90.858 billion to modernize the military during the second phase of its modernization which will start this 2018 to 2023. This was disclosed by DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, and material Fernando Manalo Wednesday. The former earlier presented status of modernization projects under what the DND calls the First Horizon. This started 2014 and will end on 2017. Under this timeline, the government is spending Php90.858 billion to buy warships, fighter jets, helicopters, an air defense radar system, other defensive equipment. This also includes upgrades and improvements for existing bases. Manalo said that most of these defense program are ongoing with the government demonstrating its capability to fund these projects. The Second Horizon is slated for 2018 to 2023 while the Third Horizon will run on 2024 to 2028. Manalo declined to specify what types of equipment will be acquired under the second horizon, but said these will mostly be for disaster response and protecting territories in the disputed West Philippine Sea. It is sufficient (to say) we are heavy on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and protecting our interest in the West Philippine Sea, he said. Manalo hinted that more fighter jets may be acquired under the Second Horizon, stating that the current 12 being bought from South Korea is way way below than what is needed by the Air Force. (PNA) CTB/PFN pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=722643
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:15:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015