PAF acquires first advance air surveillance radar from Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday announced the military’s acquisition of its first FPS-3ME Advance Air Surveillance Radar (ASRS) from Japan.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro led the blessing of the radar tower and command and control building at Wallace Air Station in San Fernando City, La Union.

Kenichi Matsuda, chargé d’affaires ad interim of Japan, graced the occasion and turned over the official documents of the ASRS to Teodoro, who then passed it on to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, who entrusted the same to PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the acquisition of the new radar system under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program marks another significant milestone for the military.

Castillo said the ASRS Acquisition Project with Japan includes three fixed long-range surveillance radars and one mobile air surveillance radar.

In his remarks, Nishiwaki Osamu, assistant commissioner of Japan’s Ministry of Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, expressed heartfelt appreciation and respect for all those involved in the acquisition project and further conveyed Japan’s commitment to support the build-up of the AFP.

Castillo said the ASRS would be operated and maintained by the 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing led by Brig. Gen. Ronie Petinglay.