Leonardo Helicopters Soar in Philippine Skies
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World Trade Centre, Metro Manila, Philippines 28-30 September 2016 DAILY NEWS DAY 2 29 September Leonardo helicopters soar in Philippine skies Elbit builds on M113 work New AFP projects progress Page 8 Changing course? South China Sea The Philippine Navy has ordered two AW159 Wildcat helicopters. (Photo: Leonardo Helicopters) verdict fallout Page 11 and avionics. It is no surprise that both aircraft and helicopters, the STAND 1250 the Philippine Air Force and Navy are Philippines’ strategic posture is Leonardo Helicopters has achieved extremely happy with their AW109s, interesting as it might open a number outstanding recent success in the considering them a step change in of opportunities for collaboration in the Philippine market. For example, the their capabilities.’ naval and air fields.’ Philippine Navy (PN) purchased five Leonardo enjoyed further success The company added: ‘With the navy AW109 Power aircraft and the when the PN ordered two AW159 undergoing modernisation plans, we Philippine Air Force (PAF) eight Wildcats (pictured left) in March. are ready to work with them in the field examples. The spokesperson commented: of naval guns, Heavy ADAS Daily News spoke to a ‘The AW159s were chosen after a such as the best-selling 76/62 metal Leonardo spokesperson about this. competitive selection to respond to Super Rapid gun from our Defence ‘The choice of the AW109 is very a very sophisticated anti-submarine Systems division. Furthermore, we Asia-Pacific AFV interesting because it represents the warfare (ASW) and anti-surface offer a range of ship-based radar and market analysis ambition of the Philippines to truly warfare (ASuW) requirement of the naval combat solutions that might be Page 13 upgrade their capabilities in terms of Philippine Navy. The deliveries are of interest.’ patrol and escort, but keeping in mind scheduled for 2018. As for the Leonardo is confident about cost-effectiveness.’ configuration, suffice to say it is a its Asian prospects. ‘The AW159 shephardmedia.com He added: ‘There are many complete ASW and ASuW suite.’ selected by the Philippines and ADAS 2016 Daily News is published by Shephard countries with similar requirements Leonardo is showcasing its South Korea is catching a lot of Media and printed by MM Print Services. around the world, and the AW109 can rotorcraft range for patrol, naval/ interest and it exemplifies the growth © Shephard Media 2016 be a solution for them. It is proven by maritime and SAR roles at ADAS 2016, of demand in the fields of ASW/ASuW Two editions of the show daily are many military operators... and it but it has other products available too. requirements in the area.’ being produced on site. The team can be contacted in the Media Centre or by e-mail includes modern solutions for safety The spokesperson noted: ‘Other than By Gordon Arthur at [email protected] SD-16-ADAS-02_p01-16.indd 1 9/28/2016 6:38:00 AM SD-16-ADAS-02_p01-16.indd 2 9/28/2016 5:53:27 AM DAILY NEWS ADAS 2016 DAY TWO Japanese cutter buy Fuzir by for PCG approved day or Like the smaller MRRVs, Japan ‘wider maritime coverage for strategic STAND 1852 will also build the high-endurance and national security purposes’. night Governmental approval has been cutters for the Philippines. The Japan Delivery is expected for November given for the acquisition of two International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 2020 and March 2021 respectively for STAND 1750 94m heavy-weather high-endurance offered Manila a soft loan of $143 the two new ships. cutters for the Philippine Coast million with low interest and long-term PCG commandant RAdm William Pyser-SGI, based in the UK, Guard (PCG) in a PHP8 billion repayment conditions to fund the deal. Melad said earlier: ‘The West is showcasing its Fuzir weapon ($167.3 million) programme. Japanese shipbuilders will be Philippine Sea could be a logical sight at ADAS 2016. This new This was one of nine high-priority able to vie for the contract. The Japan deployment but [the cutters] can be fused device is available in two projects approved by the National Coast Guard already operates a deployed anywhere. Today, the basic variants – the Fuzir-i and the Economic and Development Authority number of platforms that are similar justification is to improve PCG’s Fuzir-v. The former combines (NEDA) board on 14 September to the specifications outlined by the maritime capability.’ image intensified vision with a during its first sitting under the Philippines. Incidentally, the PCG is moving an variable thermal overlay, while new administration of President The 94m vessels will have a additional vessel to the South China the latter fuses daytime optic Rodrigo Duterte. 4,000nm range and be capable of Sea to beef up the agency’s presence. sensors with the same variable The programme is called sailing in Sea State 6 (waves up to 6m The 120t BRP Nueva Vizcaya, one of thermal overlay. the Maritime Safety Capability high). Such seakeeping capabilities four Ilocos Norte-class patrol boats built Both compact Fuzir types Improvement Project for the PCG, during typhoons are important for the by Tenix in Australia, will join the larger feature a 384x288 17μm thermal Phase II. These large vessels are PCG, given the local prevalence of 56m BRP Pampanga, which itself sensor, with the Fuzir-i having 1x called Multi-Role Response Vehicles, storms and difficult weather commenced patrols in the area in July. magnification and the Fuzir-v a the same name given to ten 44m conditions. PCG spokesperson Cdr Armando 2x electronic zoom. boats being built by Japan Marine The cutters will be able to cruise at Balilo explained: ‘The tour of duty of United Corporation following a 2015 15kt for up to 15 days. They must each ship would last for five days. They order lodged under Phase I. be able to accommodate up to 500 would be there for law enforcement The first of this latter class, BRP passengers in the event of a maritime patrol against poaching and other Tubbataha, was delivered in August. disaster. The vessels must also offer lawless activities.’ A bridge over troubled waters Pictured here is the Fuzir-v STAND 1451 daytime weapon sight from Pyser-SGI. (Photo: Pyser-SGI) French company CNIM is This sight is mounted on a promoting its motorised floating Picatinny rail in line with existing bridge known as the PFM. The weapon sights. The advantage company states that the bridge it offers is that users can mix two ‘provides today’s ground forces different technologies to precisely with the capability of rapidly determine the nature and location crossing wet gaps and obstacles of any target. such as large rivers and lakes’. Pyser-SGI explained: The PFM can serve as a ‘Fuzir-i combines both self-propelled ferry able to carry Photo: CNIM thermal and image-intensified vehicles weighing up to MLC 80, or sensors collimated to a single a series can be combined to form such cases where speed is of the then manoeuvre to link together and image to offer a fully in-line a continuous floating bridge. This essence, the PFM can be quickly form a continuous bridge. thermal weapon sight, or a full versatility means gaps of all sorts deployed. CNIM stated: ‘No extra erection night vision weapon sight, or can be crossed by military vehicles A bridging set includes carrier/ sets or auxiliary boats are required a fully user-selectable fusion and equipment. launcher vehicles, motorised in the deployment of the bridge, nor of both.’ As well as combat use, the PFM 10m-long modules and embarkation/ in a support role.’ Batteries offer up to four is applicable to disaster relief debarkation ramps. The floating The manufacturer also offers a hours of usage, and video output scenarios where bridges may have modules, with outboard motors, are modular assault bridge, which can is possible. The Fuzir is a non-ITAR been washed away or damaged. In launched with the crew aboard. They carry vehicles up to class MLC 80 too. item. WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COM ADAS 2016 3 SD-16-ADAS-02_p01-16.indd 3 9/28/2016 6:12:29 AM DAY TWO ADAS 2016 DAILY NEWS PAF looks forward to air combat capability credible defence capability at a time carries a multi-mode radar, radar Photo: PAF when Manila is concerned about warning receiver, chaff/flare China encroaching into the South dispenser, tactical data link and China Sea. smart weapon capability. A $421 million government-to- The FA-50 is a step on the government contract was signed pathway towards a far more with KAI on 28 March 2014 after capable PAF. Indeed, the Philippines the Department of National Defense is aiming for multirole fighters under had announced selection of the type its Flight Plan 2028 modernisation in August 2012. programme. A spokesman said: ‘After we’re Jet environment well under way with the LIFT, our A PAF officer previously told ADAS bridging platform, we’ll begin the The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is 5 December 2015. These are Daily News that flying the FA-50 was second phase of our upgrade, which looking forward to the arrival of operated by the 7th Tactical Fighter not a quantum leap, since the PAF will include multirole fighters. That’s its ten remaining Korea Aerospace Squadron (‘Bulldogs’) from Clark Air had never completely exited the jet definitely in the planning.’ Industries (KAI) FA-50PH light Base. environment as it still flies the It is too early to speculate what fighters. A PAF representative The FA-50 serves as a lead-in Aermacchi S.211 trainer. platform the PAF might acquire, but a confirmed that two more will fighter trainer (LIFT) and light fighter Initial FA-50PHs have been delivered single-engine aircraft would seem to arrive in late November/early as the PAF re-establishes an air without any associated munitions, so best fit Philippine needs.