Delayed modernization program

The government’s bid to modernize its defense capability amid the heightened tension in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is now in jeopardy because of the alleged bias shown by an official of the Department of National Defense (DND) in choosing defense contractors.

Such “bias” has not only delayed the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program but also compromises national security in the light of repeated foreign incursions in Philippine territory by Chinese vessels.

The first phase of the 15-year AFP Modernization Program is supposed to start this year, but the DND still has nothing to show despite all its bragging this year, thanks to the defense official who favors certain contractors.

Congress, which approved a P75-billion budget for the acquisition of aircraft, radars and aircraft under the first five years (2012-2017) of the 15-year modernization program, is now wondering why it is taking the DND too long to approve the contracts.

It can be recalled that the DND informed Congress it would sign the defense contracts involving 138 upgrade and modernization projects by July 2012, yet December came without substantial progress being reported by the department.

These contracts are supposed to include the acquisition of fighter jets, warships, radar and communications systems, support aircraft and modern equipment to upgrade the capability of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy.

No less than Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, speaking during the launch of the Defense Acquisitions System (DAS) at Camp Aguinaldo in January 2012, committed to “ensure the approval and signature of the contracts for all the 138 projects for the AFP modernization and capability upgrade program not later than July 31, 2012.”

Nothing has been heard about the progress of the military modernization program since July 2012 and the last thing reported in the media in early December is the failure of the bidding for the acquisition of 21 UH-1 helicopters.

A separate deal with French firm Eurocopter for the purchase of 10 helicopters also collapsed this month.

The acquisition of the helicopters is considered urgent, because the Philippine Air Force reportedly has only 16 mission-capable Hueys in its inventory, or 51 units short of the ideal number of operational combat utility helicopters.

The delay is reportedly caused by a certain DND official who shows bias towards certain suppliers and manages to find ways to delay and complicate the procurements currently being negotiated under a defense cooperation agreement.

Such biased procurement process has been causing delays in so many critical AFP modernization projects urgently needed to build a credible defense capability.

The Philippines needs to beef up its navy and air force with the best vessels and aircraft available today, if it is to solidify its claim over its territory and engage with China in asserting its claim.

The Philippines needs modern and well equipped vessels and aircraft to patrol more than 250 small islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs and sandbars in the West Philippine Sea. Many of them fall within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

However, China and other countries also claim ownership of these islands including Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Pratas Islands, Macclesfield Bank and Scarborough Shoal. In fact, China’s Nine-Dash Line claims almost all territories in the South China Sea.

China, in the recent standoff at Scarborough Shoal beginning April 2012, showed off its naval strength. China’s military spending amounts to $114 billion annually, or more than 80 times the Philippines’ $1.4 illion.

Aside from the West Philippine Sea, the country has vast territorial waters in the north, south and east.  The country, which consists of 7,100 islands, is one of the world’s largest archipelagos and has the third longest combined coastlines stretching for 36,289 kilometers, next only to Canada and Indonesia.

With the urgency of attaining defense capability over its large and porous coastlines, the Philippines needs to upgrade its military hardware by tapping the best defense

contractors who can deliver  the needs of the AFP within the limited resources that are available.

It should consider well-diversified defense contractors whose technologies have been proven successful in many countries and in actual field operations. It should not be difficult for our defense officials to identify the best technologies that are currently active in other countries.

The Philippines should build up its defense capability by tapping the best defense contractors in the world, instead of allowing an official to compromise national security because of personal agenda.

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