President Aquino has approved the Armed
Forces modernization program’s shopping list, allowing the procurement of
defense assets to move forward.
The big-ticket items under the program
include the two Navy frigates worth P18 billion, three air surveillance radars
worth P2.68 billion, six close air support aircraft worth P4.97 billion, two
units of long-range patrol aircraft worth P5.98 billion, multi-purpose attack
craft project worth P864.32 million, night fighting system worth P1.116
billion; two C-130 aircraft worth P1.6 billion, two naval helicopters worth
P5.4 billion and lead-in fighter trainer jets ammunition worth P4.47 billion.
The shopping list also includes four basing
support system and logistics projects with a total budget of P2.15 billion.
These projects aim to improve existing military facilities in key areas.
Other items in the list include Army radios,
thermal imaging device, field ambulance units, armored personnel carriers,
flight simulators, amphibious assault vehicles, combat systems, light utility
vehicles and engineering equipment.
The modernization program submitted to the
President is worth more than P60 billion.
Three of the upgrade projects in the
shopping list still being reviewed are the designated marksman rifles, the
standard weapons system and the shore-based missile system.
The approval of the program will raise the
level of capability of the Armed Forces and help troops perform their duties,
including rescue operations in times of calamity.
The defense department has given assurances
that the procurement of the military equipment would comply with existing
regulations to ensure transparency and avoid anomalies. –End-
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