Government to spend P25 B for fighter jets, frigates this year

MANILA, Philippines - Jets, aerial radars, frigates, long range and patrol aircraft will be acquired, and military bases upgraded, through a P25-billion allotment in the Armed Forces budget this year.

That amount in the 2016 national budget is part of the Armed Forces modernization program, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told The STAR in a text message.

The P25 billion is part of the P83.9-billion requirement for the military modernization shopping list that President Aquino has approved, he added.

More than P9 billion went to the Armed Forces  modernization program in 2014 and about P10 billion last year, Manalo said.

The upgrade program is expected to receive P20 billion in 2017.

Twelve lead-in fighter trainer jets or FA-50s were acquired from South Korea for P18.9 billion, the biggest modernization project of the Armed Forces.

Korea Aerospace Industries delivered two of the jets last Nov. 28.

Israeli firm Elta System Ltd., a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., will provide the three air surveillance radars.

The government will spend P2.68 billion for the radars, which are expected to enhance the military’s monitoring in the West Philippine Sea. 

A total of P15.5 billion has been allotted for two   frigates to boost the Navy’s security presence in the West Philippine Sea and response to disasters.

The two vessels will complement the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the two frigates acquired recently from the US.