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Further Reading

Philippine Air Force (PAF) Modernization

By the year 2010 the Philippines were in the ridiculous position of contesting Chinese claims in the South China Sea, without a single fighter aircraft to defend Philippine claims in what it terms the West Philippine Sea. Bu that time, the Philippines military was undertaking a transition from a focus on internal security to a focus on territorial defense, and the situation was on the verge of rectification.

When the regime of Ferdinand Marcos fell the Philippines had one of the best equipped air forces in Southeast Asia. In the following years due to regular attrition and simple age of its equipment, various attempts were made to modernize the fleet. This was often part of a push to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a whole.

In addition, during the 1980's the Philippine Air Force (PAF) attempted to reduce its dependence upon American second-hand aircraft by starting its own indigenous aircraft programs. The first program was a single-engine trainer plane, called the "Defiant," that could also be armed and used in the counter-insurgency role. The second was a Philippine-made light utility helicopter named the "Hummingbird." The two aircraft programs were supported by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but were not allowed to proceed by the government until July 1997, when President Ramos authorized spending for the project. The Philippine Aerospace Defense Company (PADC) undertook the development effort.

Ramos was succeeded shortly thereafter by President Estrada, whose government immediately conducted a review of the Defiant and Hummingbird programs. The review concluded that the two projects, which were only a year old at that point, were likely to be unjustifiably lengthy and expensive. As a result both were immediately terminated. Another factor was that the Hummingbird was in fact essentially an unlicensed copy of the MBB/Eurocopter Bo-105C and Eurocopter had threatened to sue the Philippine government. PADC had been involed with the assembly and maintenance on the helicopters, first acquired during the 1970s. To avoid the impending legal battle the PAF destroyed the prototypes [as of 2012, no attempt had been made to revive the Defiant or develop another helicopter program].

In February 1995, the Philippine Congress passed Act No. 7898, which called for a massive, multi-year overhaul and upgrading of the nation's armed forces. The bill thus initiated the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. Plans for the modernization of the Air Force had been in existence since 1996. The law obliged the government to fund and allocate a separate budget for a 15-year modernisation program. The PAF was to acquire two squadrons of multi-role fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missile and gun system. By 2003, P2.865 Billion had been programmed for the Air Force modernization program. This included allocation for the acquisition of various types of aircraft, for the upgrading of some others, and for training and administrative matters. As of 2003, however, only P127.391 Million has been released. The rest awaited completion of various requirements of the AFP procurement system.

The PAF should have capability both for external defense and for operations against internal threats. With its transport aircraft inventory severely depleted, and the number of its combat jets down to virtually nil, by 2003 the PAF was limited to a role of close air support for ground forces. Even in that regard, however, it was hampered by, among other problems, poor pilot to aircraft ratio. Some two hundred forty (240) combat pilots competed for around sixty (60) operational aircraft. Moreover, at any given time, there were forty to fifty (40-50) trainee pilots forced to queue for the use of three (3) trainer planes. With many cadets recruited among civilians, PMA graduates must wait in line although in their case Government has already spent much money to put them through cadet training.

As of 2003 ircraft inventory counted a total of two hundred twenty-five (225). Of these, one hundred nine (109) were in storage or are grounded, and one hundred sixteen (116) were “ supportable,” i.e., budget is available for spare parts, etc. But of the supportable aircraft, only sixty-two (62) were operational while forty-nine (49) were ”down and parked” for inspection or maintenance.

The real workhorse of the PAF's fixed wing fleet was the OV-10 Bronco, a number of which had been acquired from the United States in 1991. Additional aircraft were later procured from Thailand. With the retirement of the F-5 fleet, maintaining the OV-10 fleet became even more of a priority. The planes were locally upgraded with cockpit GPS devices and night vision-compatible internal displays and power sources. Then, in 2006, the PAF contracted Marsh Aviation to do a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for all of its OV-10 Broncos. For the SLEP the aircraft were overhauled to maximize remaining flying hours and also upgraded with newer equipment. The airframes were inspected and zero-timed, and problematic parts like the propellors and gear boxes were replaced with more advanced and durable units requiring less maintenance. New 4 bladed Hartzell propellers replaced the original 3 bladed versions. The electrical systems and generators were also upgraded, improving reliability and engine start times. Reportedly, the PAF was also considering upgrading the planes with Eductor Exhaust Systems to reduce their IR signatures and to improve engine reliability and maintainability.

A total of 19 C-130s had entered PAF service since 1973. As of early 2009, the AFP possessed only one operational C-130 aircraft, which was in full-time use supporting ongoing military operations and disaster relief activities. A second aircraft was subjected to Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) at Clark Field by Lockheed Martin / Asian Aerospace, with the maintenance cycle completed in June 2009. A third remained in PDM, while the remainder were "simply rotting away — exposed to the elements — at the C-130 graveyard in Mactan, Cebu." The limited Philippine defense budget prevented the purchase of big ticket items necessary for the AFP to prosecute the war on terrorists and at the same time provide vital year-round support to disaster relief and humanitarian operations throughout the country.

In addition to its responsibilities for internal security, the AFP is the primary support agency for disaster relief operations. With more than two dozen typhoons a year and numerous other natural catastrophes in the form of earthquakes, floods, volcanic activity, and landslides, the AFP's limited logistical capacity is frequently tapped by the national government to provide humanitarian assistance. Despite a lack of adequate equipment and trained personnel, the Philippines has made a firm commitment to regional disaster assistance operations and global security initiatives. When Cyclone Nargis hit Burma in May 2008, the Philippines was one of the first countries to transport relief supplies and medical teams to the ravaged country, using its single C-130.

Helicopters

A part of the AFP Modernization Program was the purchase of used UH-1H helicopters from the United States, the Philippines' historic and principal military supplier. The Bell UH-1 series had formed the backbone of the PAF's helicopter transport capabilities since the late 1960's when the first examples were obtained.

The Philippines had acquired 28 MD-520MG light attack helicopters from the US between 1990 and 1993 to enhance its ground support capabilities. Regular attrition and other problems claimed a number of the aircraft. The MD-520MG attack helicopters were all sold to the Philippines unarmed, but were equipped with rocket and guns pods. Indigenous developments in both of these areas were reportedly also in service. A 2007 arrangement to buy refurbished, higher performance engines for each of the helicopters fell through.

Adding to earlier purchases, between 2004 and 2006 the PAF received 20 refurbished UH-1H's from Singapore Technologies Aerospace. The helicopters were ex-US but had been sufficiently overhauled to have their air frames zero-timed. They also featured cockpit lighting compatible with night vision goggles. During the same period, the PAF upgraded 2 of its UH-1H's to the Huey II standard, which involved the installation of more powerful and efficient engines and tail rotors, and the installation of the more aerodynamic nose originally found on twin engined Bell 212 types. With the inability financially to upgrade all the UH-1 types in service, the PAF added the Huey II standard aircraft to a fleet that also included standard UH-1Hs (Bell 205A), Bell 212, and Bell 412. In 2007, the US sold another 20 more refurbished UH-1's to the Philippines for $22 million.

In January 2008, the Philippine government cancelled a $29 million contract to buy 6 night-capable MD-530F helicopters due to corruption in the bidding process. The Department of National Defense decided to scrap the bidding to acquire six (6) night-capable attack helicopters form Php1.2 billion for the Philippine Air Force following the results of the investigation on complaints of alleged irregularities in the bidding. In a memorandum dated January 24, 2008, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. declared the bidding process for the Night Capable Attack Helicopter (NCAH) Acquisition Project null and void. Asian Aerospace Corporation - representative of McDonnel Douglas in the Philippines - was the only bidder that pre-qualified in the bidding process. But it did not meet the technical specification of the minimum requirement of the 3,000 lbs. payload as required by the Philippine Air Force.

The MD530F Attack Helicopter, the helicopter being offered for sale by Asian Aerospace Corporation, which was declared by the Bids and Awards Committee as the sole pre-qualified bidder, did not meet the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement for the NCAH. This finding of the Committee was based on a previous communication of an officer of Asian Aerospace Corporation to the Chairman of the BAC, as well as on the performance specifications of the MD530F Helicopter posted on the website of McDonnel Douglas, the manufacturer of the MD530F. Asian Aerospace Corporation was aware of the inability of the MD530F attack helicopter to meet the 3,000-pound minimum payload requirement. Yet, in its bidding documents, it declared that the MD530F was compliant with that requirement.

In February 2012 Philippines received four new “Sokol” (falcon in Polish) combat utility helicopters which it purchased as part of its military modernisation program. Four more helicopters were to arrive in the last quarter of 2012, the last batch of the total eight choppers, which the Philippines purchased in 2010 from PZL Sudrik of Italy and Poland for about $50 million.

Fighter Aircraft

The Philippine fighter fleet by the 1990's consisted of only a small number of aging F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighters, which had been first acquired in 1965. These aircraft were slated for either upgrade or replacement under the AFP Modernization Program. Contenders such as the General Dynamics F-16 and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 were reportedly considered, but in the end, the PAF opted retain their F-5 fleet for finacial reasons, buying an additional 15 airframes for spare parts and outright replacement of existing aircraft from Jordan and South Korea during the mid-1990s.

The delivery of the South Korean fighter planes was part of a program strengthening the logistics support capabilities of both the Korean and the Philippine Armed Forces as contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation entered into by both governments on 24 May 1994. The MOU covered expanded and enhanced logistical cooperation such as procurement, supply, maintenance, and transportation.

In the FY02 regular budget appropriations an Air Defense Package was included in the release of the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund. This package included the acquisition of Multi-Role Fighters (MRF), Air Defense Surveillance Radar (ADSR), Long-Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) and Seach-Air-Rescue (SAR) Helicopters, among others. In addition, it also prioritized the formulation of Master Development Plans (MDPs) of priority bases and stations. Thanks to this, the PAF was able to purchase new SF-260 trainer planes and night attack helicopters. It was also set to acquire 8 primary trainer aircraft, 10 additional Huey UH-1H utility helicopters, 8 brand new combat utility helicopters, 8 new attack helicopters, 2 light lift aircraft, and 12 trainer helicopters. There were also plans to upgrade the PAF's existing 20 MD-520MG's.

On 2 May 2002, a PAF F-5A fighter jet participating in the Balikatan military exercises crashed into the back of an elementary school building in Mabalacat, Pampanga, killing the pilot and one person on the ground as well as injuring 18 civilians. The entire fleet was grounded due to safety issues. Financial difficulties and discussions of simply retiring the F-5 fleet meant that a 2003 agreement with South Korea to donate more F-5's to the Philippines was abandoned, as were plans to upgrade all F-5's with radars and advanced avionics.

On 2 October 2005 the PAF permanently retired its fleet of F-5's in a ceremony at the 431st Maintenance Hangar, Air Defense Wing, Basa Air Base. The event was highlighted by the final taxiing and engine shutdown of F-5 Aircraft #191 by Brigadier General Manuel F. Natividad, Wing Commander of the Air Defense Wing. The F-5 airframes were mothballed and remained in the Philippines.

Armed SIAI-Marchetti AS-211 jet trainers, delivered between the late 1980s and early 1990s, filled the role of Philippine air defense after the retirement of the F-5 fleet. Air Force officials stated that the arrangement was merely a stopgap measure, and that a new fighter model would be selected for purchase by 2011 to reestablish credible air deterrence and projection capabilities.

The F-5's, which had been mothballed after their retirement in 2005, became the subject of a deal with Thailand in 2008. Under the agreement the Philippines would sell Thailand F-5 spare parts in exchange for Thai OV-10C Bronco spare parts, reflecting the different needs of the 2 countries. However, the Philippines also retained various F-5 components for other uses, most notably the 20mm M39A3 cannons, some of which were used in locally fabricated gun pods and others which were transfered to the Philippine Army for ground use in exchange for Dillon Aero M134D rotary barrel machine guns acquired under the Philippine Army Capability Upgrade Program in 2007.

On 5 March 2009 the PAF boosted its pilot training capability with the transfer of 15 T-41B trainer planes from the Republic of Korea in a formal turn over ceremony at Clark Air Base. Some reports erroneously referred to these aircraft as "jet trainers." The 15 Cessna 172 (T-41B) Trainer Aircraft, which were reassembled from kits and tested until they were declared fully mission capable by PAF aircraft mechanics at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, were flown by PAF pilots to Fernando Air Base in Lipa City.

The disassembled planes had left the port of Pusan, South Korea on 4 December 2008 and arrived 4 days later at Manila's South Harbor. These were then hauled by the PAF to the 410th Maintenance Wing's facility in Clark for assembly. Initially targeted for completion on 16 February 2009, the PAF mechanics finished reassembling the 15 planes 4 days ahead of schedule on 12 February 2009.

The arrival of the trainer planes, also a product of the 1994 MOU between the 2 countries, greatly enhanced the operational readiness of the entire Philippine Air Force, especially in training its pilots for the planned transition to territorial defense mode in 2012 from the existing internal security operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In August 2010 Retired Admiral James Lyons, former commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, signed an oped in the Washington Times which proposed that "The United States should consider leasing big-ticket military hardware to the Philippines to give it the capability to defend its sovereign territory against Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea.... the US should consider leasing a squadron of F-16 along with T-38 supersonic trainers, an aircraft for maritime patrol, and two FFG-7 guided-missile frigates to provide a recognized capability to enforce the Philippines’ offshore territorial claims."

The Office of the President, Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Air Force have all publicly declared the Aquino administration’s intention to acquire 12 surplus F-16C/D aircraft from the United States. In a speech during the Philippine Air Force (PAF) invitational shoot fest and firing range blessing on 10 Decmber 2011 at the PAF headquarters in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City, President Benigno S. Aquino III said his administration is working continuously to arm and provide the members of the Armed forces and the police the equipment they need. The president said he would request for fighter planes from the US after his visit to Indonesia, saying the Obama administration has provided the Indonesian air force F-16 jets, an older generation of American jet fighters. In February 2012 Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said that the Philippines will request a squadron of 12 fighter jets.