Agusta Westland AW-159 Wildcat will be Philippine Navy's Anti-Sub Helicopter

The Philippine Government and Agusta Westland formally signed the contract for Philippine Navy's Anti-Submarine Helicopters the AW-159 Wildcat worth P5.36 Billion. These helicopters will probably enhance the capability of our Navy. This will be deployed with the Philippine Navy's future two brand new frigates.

The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter designed to serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles.The AW159 Wildcat, known as Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat, is also used by the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy.

Philippines First MicroSatellite DIWATA-1 Finally Launched

Philippine's first Microsatellite has been finally launched. The satellite was assemble by filipino scientist and is set to be brought to the International Space Station (ISS) via Orbital ATK Commercial Resupply Services Flight 6(OA-6) Cygnus Spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA around 11am Philippine Standard Time.

Diwata-1 is the first satellite of the venture and is also a part of the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Micro-Satellite (PHL-Microsat) Program which was initiated in December 2014 by the government agency. The satellite is an updated version of the Raijin-2, which was developed by the two Japanese universities. A ground station based in the Philippines, the Philippine Earth Data Resources Observation (PEDRO) station, will have the control over the satellite.

Philippine Air Force FA-50 Fighter Jets to take part in the Annual Military Exercise the "Balikatan Exercise" by the US and Filipino Troops

The newly acquired brand new KAI FA-50 Fighter Jets will be seen at the upcoming Balikatan Exercise by the Filipino and US forces. Air Force Spokesperson said that their US Counterparts will teach Filipino Pilots how to intercept, interdict and conduct air support. The FA-50 is a new light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft.

The FA-50, which is based on the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer platform, is offered as an affordable and efficient supersonic advanced light attack platform.The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50 aircrafts from South Korea worth P18.9 Billion. 2 had already been delivered and is it expected to be completed by 2017. Balikatan exercise will start by April 4 this year.

Royal Australian Navy Decommissioned Balikpapan Class Heavy Landing Craft Transfered to the Philippines

Three former Royal Australian Navy Balikpapan Class Landing Craft are to be transfered to the Philippines. A Dutch Company shared photos of one of its vessels loading three former Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft bound for Philippines.Three Vessels, HMAS Balikpapan, HMAS Wewak and HMAS Betano were retired by Australia in December 2012 while the remaining ships of the class Brunei, Labuan and Tarakan were decommisioned in November 2014.




Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna said the three LCHs were delivered and offloaded by a huge cargo vessel of NTG Shipping in Liloan, Cebu City last March 26. Prior to the delivery, two of the LCHs were picked up in Darwin and another in Cairns, Australia. The three are sister ships of BRP Ivatan (formerly HMAS Tarakan) and BRP Batak (ex-HMAS Brunei) that were commissioned into the Navy service last Aug. 10. Lincuna said the transport ships would be moved from Cebu to the shipyard in Sangley Point, Cavite in May in time for the Navy’s 118th founding anniversary. Australia previously gifted two landing crafts to the Philippine Navy. Ex-HMA Ships Tarakan and Brunei, were re-commissioned into the Philippine Navy as BRP Ivatan(AT298) and BRP Batak(AT299).

Missiles to be fired at Balikatan Exercise

This will be the first time for a missile launcher to be deployed during a Balikatan Exercise. It will show its firepower capability in a live-fire drill that will be held at Crow Valley in Tarlac. The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a U.S. light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV) truck frame.

The HIMARS carries six rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile on the U.S. Army's new Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-ton truck, and can launch the entire Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM). HIMARS is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load. HIMARS has a maximum range of 300 kilometers. The platform was tested back in 1998 by the US before it was deployed in 2005. HIMARS can fire six rockets it can also be loaded on a C-130 Aircraft for deployment. The arrival of the HIMARS are expect by the end of this month in Subic Bay.

5 US Navy Ships Will Participate in this Year's Balikatan Exercise

Military Spokesperson said 5 US Navy ships will participate in Balikatan Exercise this year. Capt Celeste Frank Sayson Balikatan Spokesperson did not classify the exact types of American ships that will participate exept one which is a "Missile Destroyer".Philippine Navy Ships are also expected to participate in this exercise. "Balikatan 2016" is scheduled to start this April 4 and expected to end on April 15.

Philippines Allowed the Americans to use 5 of its Military Bases under EDCA

The Philippines agreed to allow the American Military to use 5 of its military bases where the Americans could store their military equipment. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of  Defense Amy Searight said the agreement was reached under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The military bases that are allowed by the Philippine Government are Antonio Bautista Air Base, Fort Magsaysay, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, Bara Air Base and Lumbia Airport.  EDCA granted Washington increased military presence in the Philippines by allowing Troops, Ships and Fighter Planes to be stationed temporarily in Philippine Military Bases. Supreme Court confirmed its legality last January.

Philippine Navy's Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) Will Undergo Sea Worthiness This Month (March 2016)

Philippine Navy's(PN) First SSV(Strategic Sealift Vessel) will undergo sea worthiness this month before it will be delivered and commissioned to the Philippine Navy(PN). “The sea trial is done to check and ensure that all facilities and instruments are working before its voyage to the Philippines. It is a akin to a road test of a vehicle before it travels long distances,” said the Navy spokesperson, Col. Edgard Arevalo.

After the sea trials the ship will said to its home quarter in the Philippines which will boost the capability of the Philippine Navy(PN). The Navy is positive that the said ship will be home for the upcoming Philippine Navy Day on May. The second SSV is expected to be delivered next year (2017). These two Navy vessels were contracted with the Indonesian ship builder for P3.8 Billion.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is expecting more Assets in its inventory this 2016. The main reason to protect itself from external threats particularly from China. The incoming assets include FA-50 Fighter Jets for P18.9 Billion. The FA-50 is a new light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Philippine Navy's SSV (Strategic Sealift Vessel) worth P3.87 Billion. The said vessels have a full load displacement of 11,583 tons. It can carry up to 500 troops and can accommodate two medium helicopters on its flight deck.The SSVs have a maximum range of 9,360 nautical miles, a top speed of 16 knots and an endurance of 30 days. 

Two more C-130's are expected to be delivered this year from the United States. This will be added to the 3 operational C-130s of the Philippine Air Force. 8 brand new Bell 412 combat utility helicopters, 8 Aw-109 Attack Helicopters and 2 Naval Choppers were also delivered. The Philippine Navy also received Balikpapan Class Landing Crafts from Australia. President Benigno Aquino III approved the “multi-year-contract” worth an estimated P44 billion for seven projects that was requested by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. These are two frigates, anti-submarine helicopters, amphibious assault vehicles for the Navy, munitions for the FA-50s, close-air support aircraft, air surveillance and long-range patrol aircraft. Philippine Government completed 65 projects under Aquino Administration.