Philippine Air Force Discussions and Updates

colay

New Member
Something like the harvest hawk would be good could also be used for paratroopers.

Maybe ya'll can get some CAS planes like the ones the US is looking at.
Why not..the next best thing to gunships.. get to the action faster than a helo and have a loner loiter time. Should be more affordable too.
 

ManilaBoy

Banned Member
The 8 brand new W-3A Sokols combat utility helicopters for the PAF are scheduled to arrive this weekend aboard a cargo plane from Poland after being delayed from it's original delivery date...
 

adroth

New Member
The 8 brand new W-3A Sokols combat utility helicopters for the PAF are scheduled to arrive this weekend aboard a cargo plane from Poland after being delayed from it's original delivery date...
Only 4 will be delivered. The remaining four will be delivered next year . . . as per AFP sources.
 

ed famie

New Member
The 8 brand new W-3A Sokols combat utility helicopters for the PAF are scheduled to arrive this weekend aboard a cargo plane from Poland after being delayed from it's original delivery date...
Do you know the capability of the W-3A Sokols ? or it is just a utility helicopter like the UH-IH Huey used by the P.A.F., or it has the capabilty of the MG-520 that can fire rockets and machine gun?
 

colay

New Member
Interestingly, Wiki states the W-3A is a civilian model of the helo.. which begs the question how it differs from the military versions. I wonder if this model was selected for cost reasons as military models are usually built to a higher specification? Any one know?
 

colay

New Member
This model wasn't "selected". It was what the PAF got after a protracted bid invitation process.
OK. Apparently the PAF requirements can be met by the civilian specs of the aircraft. My query still stands though, anyone know the basic differences with and potential for upgrade to a military variant considering the likelihood that it may be modified down the road, perhaps adding some offensive capablility?
 

colay

New Member
PAF plans to acquire a squadron of 12 F-16 aircrafts as reported by the foreign affairs secretary Alberto Del Rosario on Dec.21st as part of a stepped up efforts to defend the archipelago ...

Philippines Seeks U.S. F-16s Amid China Concerns - Defense News

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4490.html
I really hope this materializes as they are badly needed. Right now anyone can violate Philippine airspace with impunity.
The question remains what variant the US will provide. The Indonesians are said to be receiving Blk 25 Vipers upgraded to Blk 32 standard covering 30 aircraft (inclusive of 6 as spare parts donors) in a US$600M deal. Looks like another sweetheart deal and a big shot in the arm for AFP modernization.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
The question remains what variant the US will provide. The Indonesians are said to be receiving Blk 25 Vipers upgraded to Blk 32 standard covering 30 aircraft (inclusive of 6 as spare parts donors) in a US$600M deal.
Actually eventually the deal cost Indonesian Min-Def USD 720 mio. It will be upgraded on Air Frame and Engines based as Block 32 (US subsidies/grant), but Avionics and electronics upgrade close to Block 50 standard (Indonesian Pay). According to this article, it seems US now going to give PAF a Squad of F-16 : US willing to help Phl get F-16 jets - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines | Printer Friendly

How much in the end it will cost PAF, it will depends on how extensive PAF willing to upgrade the electronics/avionics. Like in Indonesia deal, basically the USD 720 mio that Indonesia has to pay, is for Electronics-Avionics. Well in any modern fighter upgrade, the electronics-avionics make up the biggest chunk of cost anyway.
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
Actually eventually the deal cost Indonesian Min-Def USD 720 mio. It will be upgraded on Air Frame and Engines based as Block 32 (US subsidies/grant), but Avionics and electronics upgrade close to Block 50 standard (Indonesian Pay). According to this article, it seems US now going to give PAF a Squad of F-16 : US willing to help Phl get F-16 jets - The Philippine Star » News » Headlines | Printer Friendly

How much in the end it will cost PAF, it will depends on how extensive PAF willing to upgrade the electronics/avionics. Like in Indonesia deal, basically the USD 720 mio that Indonesia has to pay, is for Electronics-Avionics. Well in any modern fighter upgrade, the electronics-avionics make up the biggest chunk of cost anyway.
The cost should be about there. At minimum, to restore the AMARC stored birds, there should be a Falcon STAR program to zero time the airframe and to replace all the wirings first. Then the rest will be the avionics upgrade.

edit:
I need to add, this is merely the cost of getting the airframes. Remember, PAF does not have the necessary support infrastructure as well as a weapons package for these planes. These will need to be included separately.

http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2011/Malaysia_11-36.pdf
 
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kaman

New Member
The RPI would have been wiser had they not been greedy in their negotiating the leases on U S bases in the early 90s.
 

colay

New Member
The RPI would have been wiser had they not been greedy in their negotiating the leases on U S bases in the early 90s.
Can you provide any specifics as to what you conceive to be the "greedy" demands of the Philippines as a condition for a new treaty?
 

HKP

New Member
Interestingly, Wiki states the W-3A is a civilian model of the helo.. which begs the question how it differs from the military versions. I wonder if this model was selected for cost reasons as military models are usually built to a higher specification? Any one know?
It could be I am not sure but based on the history of Philippine defense acquisitions as usual money is the issue, mostly refurbished, so I won't be surprised that budget is the issue on selecting a civilian model, then most likely PAF will refitt and modify and arm it with the necessary armaments for use in operational areas. They can maybe even convert it to an attack chopper, at least half of them (4) and the other half for utility functions like medevac and transport. At least the PAF now will have brand new choppers.
 
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redmaple

New Member
Manila Boy,

1 in service, 1 in an airport hangar at Clark airfield being refurbished, and the 3rd one is being procured.
 
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