7 groups join bidding for more military aircraft

MANILA, Philippines - Seven companies joined the first phase of the bidding for the supply of two long-range patrol aircraft worth P5.98 billion.

The aircraft manufacturers that submitted bids for the project were EADS/CASA Airbus Defense and Space of Spain; Elta Systems Ltd. and Elbit Systems Ltd., both from Israel;  Saab Asia Pacific Co. Ltd. of Sweden; PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) Indonesian Aerospace of Indonesia; Lockheed Martin and L3 Mission Integration, both from the United States.

Ten firms bought bid documents for the project, which aims to enhance the Philippines’ maritime domain awareness.

Three companies – Field Aviation, Raytheon Co., and Arinc Aerospace – had expressed interest to join the bidding but did not submit offers during the opening of bids held Monday.

The Defense department is still validating the eligibility of the seven bidders as of press time. 

Defense Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said the long range patrol aircraft would serve as the military’s “eyes and ears” as it secures the country’s territory.

“(The project is) very important. They are your eyes and ears. They will provide the eyes and ears in the areas of our maritime domain and plug the gaps in the air surveillance capacity,” Velez said.

He noted that the Air Force no longer has long-range patrol aircraft in its inventory.

“Previously we had a long range patrol aircraft but along the way it was utilized for a different purpose,” Velez said, referring to the Air Force’s Fokker plane. 

“Effectively, right now, we do not have an existing item for that capability,” he added.

The project will be bankrolled by the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program signed by President Aquino in 2012.

The Defense department will hold a two-stage competitive bidding for the project because of the detailed nature of the air assets.

The first stage will screen the bidders to determine who among them are qualified to submit offers. The second stage will assess the actual offers submitted by the companies that pre-qualified.

The winning bidder is required to deliver the aircraft within 1,035 calendar days from the receipt of notice to proceed from the government. The notice to proceed is a document that will pave way to the implementation of the contract.

The long range patrol aircraft project is one of the big ticket items in the Armed Forces’ Modernization Program shopping list.