Page 15 - ADT JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 Online Magazine

Powering to be moved to the next phase, many of these [ PROCUREMENT ]

including some other in the Horizon 2 were
affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and had to
be postponed further, reconsidered, or even
cancelled due to the lack of funding.
Ahead However, it’s worth noting that there are still
some clear progresses such as eighteen
Sabrah light tanks for the PA which will be
delivered starting this month, a contract for
two 3,100 tonnes corvettes for the Navy (first
delivery in 2026), PHP 62 billion (about US$1.22
billion) funding approval for additional 32 S-70i
THE PHILIPPINE ARMED FORCES PRESS AHEAD “Black Hawk” transport/utility helicopters
WITH PROCUREMENT PLANS for the Air Force, and the completion of two
97-meter Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which will
Yulian Ardiansyah be delivered in the first half of 2022.

The modernization plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines It still remains to be seen how this year will
(AFP) which started in 2013 is now in its second phase. Formalized unfold in regard to how many projects in the
in 2012 under the Republic Act 10349 (also known as the Revised Horizon 2 phase that will be completed or which
Armed Forces Modernization Act), the 15-year programme is split other contracts to be signed. Furthermore,
into three “Horizons” called Horizon 1 (2013-2017), Horizon 2 (2018- with the upcoming Philippine presidential elec-
2022), and Horizon 3 (2023-2028) with a projected total cost of tion scheduled on 9 May, it also appears that
over US$40 billion. there will be substantial changes in how the
next Philippine administration manages and
Under the Horizon 1 phase, as many as 107 projects have been allocates the funding for the Horizon 2 and 3
completed including firepower upgrade for the M113 tracked APCs phases.
of the Philippine Army (PA), procurement of two 2,600-tonnes Jose
Rizal-class frigates for the Philippine Navy (PN), six A-29B Super
Tucano light attack and twelve FA-50PH trainers/light fighter air- Philippine Army
craft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). It’s unfortunate that while As mentioned earlier, the PA is expecting
there are still numerous unfinished Horizon 1 projects which had the delivery of Sabrah light tanks this year.

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY January/February 2022 | 15