I've posted a while back about plans of setting up a radar in Palawan being derailed. About the LIFT, they could be used to augment our COIN efforts.For me, despite numerous 'questionable' press release on Philippines Media (questionable in sense on follow up), one thing that puzzle me is lack of any plan for upgrading Aeriel Surveillance Radar system. There are talks on cooperation with US on 'Maritime' surveillance system, but nearly zero on Aerial/Ground Base Radar system.
Just wandering what PAF really plan for. They want LIFT, well that a reasonable one. Rebuilding basic capabilities for Fast Jet operations. However how you expect to conduct effective aerial patrolling if you don't see what you're looking on first.
As far as I know, on the early 2000 when most of the Fighter is grounded due to lack of spares and money to fly them properly, Indonesian AF still try to set asside some budget for Radar operations. In fact they still put plan for procurement of Radar system, even-though only 30% of the fighter fleet can fly.
TNI-AU was not an example of good operational AF, especially on the early 2000 era. However even they, still on the hard time did their best to make the radars still operational. I believe most AF will maintain at least minimal surveillance capabilities. RNZAF did not have operational fast jet now, but even they still maintain operational aerial surveillance.
Just amaze me that with a lot of plan for PAF upgrade, not 'concrete' thing being discussed for rebuilding their Ground Radar system. You can add commercial radar to cover some of the blank spot as temporary solution (just like TNI-AU done so far), but you still need military specs ground aerial surveillance system for your principal area.
There is also a Coast Watch.
" Recent announcement from the Pentagon during President Aquino's visit to Washington, said the US will provide a powerful land-based radar to the Philippines.
The radar system dubbed as “watch center” will track ships and aircraft off the Philippine archipelago’s coastline, and is connected to US servers in real time, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
“We are in the initial planning stages of assisting the Philippines with a National Coast Watch Center,” says Major Catherine Wilkinson.
The United States will be funding the construction of the National Coast Watch Center, and share surveillance and intelligence data with the Philippines."
The Exciting Centennial of Philippine Aviation: US made defense radar to be operational next year