More on the Philippine Air Force C-130T Acquisition: Is the PAF Acquiring Aerial Refueling Tanker?

The US Embassy released information last January 9, 2015 that the Philippine Air Force has completed a second inspection of two C-130T that are being offered for transfer to the aforementioned armed service. Photos from the US Embassy press release shows the Philippine officials with one of the aircraft with number 022, and was said to be in Joint Reserve Naval Air Station Fort Worth in Texas. The press release also indicated that the Philippine government, through Maj. Gen. Victor Bayani, has already signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance signifying the approval to procure the inspected aircraft. Expected delivery was placed by 1st quarter of 2016, although no exact month was specified.

PAF and US officials during the 2nd inspection of C-130T aircraft at Fort Worth, Texas.Photo taken from US Embassy in the Philippines website.

Upon further checking with open sources, it appears that the said aircraft (#022) is not a US Navy aircraft C-130T as earlier expected, but is a US Marine Corps unit, with tail number 163022, and is actually a KC-130T multipurpose transport-tanker aircraft. It is also assumed that the second aircraft may also be the same type and may come from the same source. A second photo from the press release also showed the interior of one of the aircraft being inspected, and it does not have the updated glass cockpit done on the US Navy C-130T aircraft. Too bad that the photos provided by the US Embassy in the Philippines did not show the wing portion to confirm if the underwing refueling pod are still there.

More photos from the inspection of aircraft no. 022. Note the analog cockpit on the aircraft, whereas the expected US Navy aircraft were already modified to use glass cockpit types.Photo taken from US Embassy in the Philippines website.

These KC-130T are actually former C-130H aircraft converted to be aerial refueling-capable in support of US Marines air operations. Open sources like C-130.net indicated that the 163022 was built in 1984, and was modified to be able to carry the probe-and-drogue refueling system which is currently used by the US Marines aviation assets like the F/A-18C/D Hornet and AV-8B Harrier as well as CH-53 Super Stallion large helicopter series. This is the same system used by the Saab's JAS-39 Gripen. But this system is different from those used by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighters, which uses the Flying Boom system. (More of these can be found in open sources for further information.)

KC-130T "022" with the wing-mounted aerial refueling system on the far end of the wings.Photo taken from usamimi.info website.

Being KC-130T Means....For the uninitiated readers, the "K" in the KC-130T designation means it is a tanker-capable aircraft in US military parlance. So it means the Philippine Air Force is acquiring an aerial refueling capable aircraft. BUT it doesn't necessarily mean the PAF is acquiring tanker aircraft.What's the difference? The KC-130Ts (or we can currently call C-130T until further notice) might be aerial refueling-capable aircraft, but it is still unknown and unconfirmed if the deal to acquire them include having the refueling system intact and usable upon the aircraft's hand-over to the PAF. But not having the aerial refueling system does not mean the PAF cannot have them in the future. With the aircraft already made to be capable of such, any future decision by the PAF to return the aircraft to tanker-capable status is very much possible and easy, as compared to other C-130 aircraft without this current capability.

A KC-130 probe and drogue underwing refueling pod. The PAF may opt to have the aerial refueling system retained when they acquire the USMC C-130T.Photo taken from Wikimedia.

Having them retained, which is very much possible, means that the PAF will be having an added capability of aerial refueling, a first in its history. How About Transport Missions?Being a multi-purpose transport aircraft, it will retain its cargo-carrying capability for other purposes, including Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. This is possible by removing the fuel tank system in the cargo hold, in which the KC-130 can easily be converted from a tanker aircraft to a standard transport aircraft, with almost the same load and space capacity as a regular C-130 Hercules. The underwing refueling pod can remain even when doing transport duties.

The KC-130's fuselage fuel tank, which can easily be carried or removed from the aircraft's cargo space to convert the C-130 from a tanker to a standard transport aircraft. This is the same unit used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps on their KC-130s.Photo taken from ar-15.net.

Why Need for an Air Refueling Tanker Capability?The Philippine Air Force currently has no aircraft capable of aerial refueling. But they can use the aircraft to train the organization in tanker and aerial refueling operations in anticipation of future requirements. Training early is actually good as it takes time to learn and master this system, and doing it early gives them this needed time to learn and be capable of using the system well by the time the first aerial refueling receiving aircraft arrive in PAF's inventory. This can be done by having aerial tankers participate to support US military aircraft during joint US-Philippines military exercises like Balikatan, while doing standard military and HADR transport missions. Its rapid fuel transfer system can also be used in ground operations when necessary, which can be both applicable in combat and HADR support operations.Some of the incoming new assets for the PAF can be specified or modified to be capable of receiving fuel using probe-and-drogue aerial refueling. This includes the Airbus C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft, and probably the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle lead-in fighter trainers. Particularly for the FA-50 with its limitations in terms of range, endurance, and load capacity, having the capability of aerial fueling can extend its reach and enable it to carry more at long distances like in the possible conflict areas in the West Philippine Sea. Future maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), airborne early warning & control aircraft (AEWC), and multirole fighters (MRF) that the PAF aspires to acquire in the next few years can also benefit from such capabilities, especially with these assets are also expected to operate in the vast Philippine EEZ and ADZ.

With its small size, MaxDefense believes that the FA-50 Fighting Eagle must be given the capability to refuel on air, with installing a refueling probe system. It is possible that the PAF has already considered this requirement.

So, is the PAF acquiring aerial refueling tankers? Possibly, but still unconfirmed. But even if the PAF won't be getting the aircraft with the aerial refueling system intact, this is the closest they can get from having one, as making them have one is due to the inherent capability the aircraft already have for as long as support and budget is provided. So why not? Here are some examples of which platforms are compatible with the KC-130's probe-and-drogue system:

So let's see, who can use the probe-and-drogue aerial refueling system of the KC-130?The Gripen can....

...Super Hornets also can use them....(Photo taken from chinalakealumni.com)

...legacy F/A-18C Hornets also are compatible...(Photo taken from Wikimedia)

HHmmnnnn.. sounds interesting! getting a aerial refueling capable aircraft will give PAF a chance to have it's very own tanker aircraft. and start training with these aircraft. if things will push thru with the A400M aircraft that the French offered to us. I read from the news that The french President will visit the Philippine at 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2015. it seem's that the French President is serious with their proposals as to put up Airbus as its international training hub in Asia Pacific. I believe those investments from the French Government will also give them in return.. a A400M is a way to go as multi-purpose aircraft.

Let's see what happens when the French president arrives. The focus is actually on environmental issues, but it doesn't mean other issues like defense and security will be left behind. HADR is actually related to environment issues.

If France is going to provide us loan to buy one (1) A400M costing $180M, better use the loan to buy seven (7) $25M French EC725R2 Caracal long-range (857 km) Tactical Transport helicopter also manufctured by Airbus. It can carry 29 seated troops and land on Pag-Asa Island which is not possible with A400M.

It is better to buy more C130, C295 and casa 212 than buying a single A400M. A400M is just too expensive. Not very good for a military who suffers from budget defeciencies. Even if it is offered under a loan program, it is still unwise for our country to pour money unto it. Maybe in the future we can consider buying an A400M but not for now. There are still more important assets out there that we need to acquire and improve.

sir max, by knowing that jas gripen could use this refuelling system, is it safe to say gripen is the future pipeline? i saw many videos that chinese and russian aircrafts cant match these gripens mano a mano

brother we need that, specially when our air force is planning to buy a full blown Multi-role Fighter Jet in the future like Gripen NG or F-16 Block 60 Viper. but for now that C-130T is useless for air refueling, because we dont have any aircraft so far that have air refueling system, if C-130T will come, along with C-295 in 2016, the air refueling system of C-130T again it doesnt make sense if we only using it in one platform like C-295, but it will make sense if we buy also Multi-Role Fighters Jets and AEW&C Aircraft, because these two are the star players of air force in todays modern warfare and they lock of endurance, and that is the main purpose purpose of C-130T and other aerial refueling aircrafts to support the star players. again it will not make sense for C-130T, if it only supports the support aircraft like C-295 which also have a long distance endurance capability. that is why we need also to procure Multi-Role Fighters Jets and AEW&C Aircraft along with C-130T. also max, this C-130T is brand new or 2nd hand? thanks for the article max. God bless u and our country.

What are we gonna do with an Air Refueling tanker if we don't have any air assets capable of refueling in the air? What? to prepare for MRF's that can refuel in mid air? When are we gonna have those MRF's? Maybe 10 years from now? I do not see the logic.

The aircraft might be 30 years old but compared to our 40+ year old C-130s combined with a better maintenance program of the Americans and the refurbishing works, this would definitely be better than the current C-130s used by the PAF, and are even younger than the C-130s acquured by Indonesia from Australia.

It will be good for the PAF to acquire this C130 convertible aircraft as this will widen the skills of our pilot and crews to handle multi mission and aerial refuelling. I wonder if this is another aircraft promise by the US and was mentioned in the last year blog of C130, with upgraded or modified glass cockpit almost having the same panel with J model. What about the 3 C130 park at Cebu Mactan Airport .Does it have the available funding and who will undertake the repair and refurbushment?

Could it be that our PAF is preparing for the acquisition of more sophisticated and advanced multi role fighter aircrafts? In my opinion, this kind of plane, an air tanker, won't be needed if it's only for our FA-50s... our FA-50s are not going to be flying everyday of the week and they're not going to be airborne for 24 hours a day, PAF and AFP and DND won't allow that because of the cost of fuel for fighter jets... If they're going to buy this as an air tanker fueler thing, then they better put it to good use by acquiring air tanker worthy jets... If not, then it's best to just stick with a transport plane, a regular C-130 aircraft.

I hope the govt. will proceed to its plan to refurbish the other existing non-operational C-130 especially the passenger type C-130. We really need that type for evacuation not only during calamities but also to evacuate our OFW from other countries if needed.

Sir Max, napansin ko lang hindi kaya overpriced ang pagkakabili natin sa 8 units of Bell 412EP for a total price of $105 million or $13 million for each unit? Sa google kasi $9 million lang ang price ng isang Bell 412EP. Kung updated ang pricing ng google then how can the DND explain the excess $33 million. I'm sure the DND has a good explanation for that and as a taxpayer i am willing to listen to their explanation on why the contract amounted to $105 million.

According to Google, unit price for:

Bell 412EP is $9 million for each unit. (Philippines bought their Bell 412EP for $13 million for each unit.)

Blackhawk UH-60 is $21.3 million for each unit. (Last 2012, Columbia bought their brandnew Blackhawk UH-60 for $17.4 million for each unit.)

Last 2012, Colombia's official request to buy up to 5 UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopters, 10 T700-GE-701D General Electric Engines to equip them, plus warranties, added internal fuel tanks, spare and repair parts, training, and US government and contractor support.

The estimated cost if a contract is negotiated is up to $87 million, and the prime contractor will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT.

We are not yet aware of what is included in the deal, like the equipment included, support from the manufacturer, parts and maintenance, and other concerns. But as far as MaxDefense sources within the DND were concerned, this is already a very good deal

Hi Max, I have always wondered why the armed forces leadership during the time of Gloria Macapagal did not push the modernization agenda as vigorously as it is being done now. There were no over arching or strategic Plans? can't be simply lack of funding. We really wasted 10 precious years.

In the last part of her term, there were several reforms on the AFP Modernization and procurement processes that are now being felt in the current administration. So to be fair to the small lady, they were the ones who actually laid the foundation. If the current administration did not intervene on the MRV project, the PN could have already have 2 LPD as early as 2013.

And may i add Sir Max. The present admin has clearly put politics into the Armed Forces modernization program. Most of the incoming military procurement from the last admin were criticized for alleged irregularity and were therefore cancelled. But I don’t find online sources that they established the irregularity of this projects and people were not even charge in court. The MRV for one was cancelled even though budget was there already from last administration and also made it worst by renaming to SSV. People forgot that this is Arroyos project. The last attack helicopter project bidding (after many bidding failures)was finished and won by SOKOL also in Arroyo's term but was stop and eventually cancelled due to ALLEGED irregularities and replaced by AGUSTA but again where is the established irregularity?. And lastly the SOKOL combat helicopters purchased were heavily criticized by our president because of machine gun issue. We forgot that this Sokol helicopter is a Polish national pride because they can manufacture their own combat helicopters and tested in Iraq and Afghanistan. Can we manufacture our own? And what have we shown to them? That their product is unreliable because of machine gun issue? To the ordinary pinoys the Sokol name is now synonymous with bad helicopter product. I see here a pattern of cancelling projects and eventually resurrected with different names or worst changing or diverting to other projects to keeps us inform that only this admin has done a lot of projects ( to claim credit) whether its military or civil projects and discredit the last admin and previous presidents for doing nothing. Clearly it’s all politics.By the way im not a pro Arroyo. Please give credit to whom it belongs.Renbios

It is to our advantage and benefit to whatever military assistance the US can provide us whether it be a small or big item and we should be grateful about it. I wouldn't even mind if the US installs all it's still decommissioned operational stocks of Nike-Hercules & Nike-Zeus ABM missiles in our military bases to protect us from Chinese IRBM & ICBMs. We get protection for free at no expense. We benefited much from Subic Naval Base and Clark Airbase when it was operated by the US which served as a deterrent from China's occupation of our Spratly Island territories and Scarborough Shoal. Social problems associated with US military bases is our government's fault for not implementing our laws & regulations even until now. The past administrations had done little in modernizing our AFP. It is our governments responsibility and the US is just assisting us for the benefit of both countries interests and not just the Philippines.

The mistake of ex-Pres. Arroyo is she did not procure the insignificant weapons for AFP modernization during the initial years of her 10-year term so she can get the credit. She was more popular with the corruption scandal her husband got involved with the used private helicopters, NBN/ZTE mess and selling out to the Chinese.

I am obviously not Max but i just want to share my opinion regarding Sokol vs AW109. I hate both. My personal choice is Airbus EC645 T2 especially the armed version with FLIR. EC645 T2 is cheaper than AW109, holds more passenger than AW109, very good looking, it is Airbus latest model (was just launched 2014). Despite being a new model, it has already been adopted by Germany and Thailand with more countries showing interest. PAF should seriously take a look at this. Sir Max, please tell the PAF to take a look at this new helicopter. This can already comply with the requirement of being adopted by 2 countries.

Somewhere in the time of President Macapagal Aroyo that these so called "Euro Generals" did some misused of the public funds for personal gains only...we can not blame the Aquino administtration of scrutinizing some AFP projects on the pipeline already. Our government is run by politicians and we can not remove it on the equation....but National interest should prevail foremost.....-Bravo One Six-

Sorry to be negative but this 30 year old C130 looks like a gas guzzler - specially for a plane with a tanker capability. The US Navy C130T's with updated avionics (glass cockpit) seem to be newer and probably the better deal. I bet it would cost about $100k in fuel alone just to deliver the two planes to the PI.

I sensed the PAF C-130s to be delivered comes with the the aerial refueling features. Our navy has acquired 2 tankers from PNOC to perform RAS for other ships. The air force should not be left out with this capability as well.

Another expensive surplus US equipment that will feed US suppliers. At the rate the US is using our meager funds for their own requirements in our territory, it's clear the DND and AFP has outsourced its decision making to the US military. We have been sucked in to the US preparations for its war with the seagrabbing Intsiks. Another tragedy for us gullible Filipinos. That refueling capability is unnecessary as we have many airports in many islands, just station land tankers in these. It will just reduce the payload capacity of that surplus aircraft.

It will be better and cheaper for us to just repair and upgrade present assets to good operational level, locally. The 410th has done C-130s and we have a lot of those idle in Cebu. It will strengthen our capabilities if the 410th will continue doing it. The supposedly uneconomic repair of these is just a ploy for US suppliers to profit from us. C-130 rehab is now a commodity. Of course commissions are lower with this alternative, so with travel perks.

Other missed cargo aircraft - Afghan C-27A/G222, German French C160 Transall. They might also miss the Brazilian Embraer KC-390. They are fighting wars like the rich Americans, the downside of too much US dependency and training

You're missing the point on the tanker capability, the Philippines is modernizing it's AFP and if an opportunity to get assets like these presents itself, the better it is for us. If these planes were brand new and expensive, I would have agreed with you. But they aren't.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, the AFP would only have to pay $35M for 2 C-130s. I think that's not expensive, in fact, I would say that's a very good deal for us.

and.. saying, the Philippines is being sucked in the US war preparations with China sounds like leftist-talk to me. If it weren't for the US, The Philippine's claim on the KIG would have been lost a decade ago.

When a war breaks out, no one will have the time to refuel in the air, when refueling while flying, the pilots of both have to concentrate and fly at the same speed.. with more sophisticated planes tailing you, this would be impossible

Originally and even confirmed in an interview before, the PA is looking to acquire at least 7 Sherpas. But the US instead broke it down to several requests, including the PA and PCG, plus Estonia and Djibouti.

Its coming soon. Not much media fanfare due to its complexity but everyone should understand, this is a very important project. Let's just wait for them to give a go on announcements. All I can say is that the fight is really tight.

They act as if they have all the time, and of course the money, in the world, while China is now cementing its control of WPS. They are not doing their mandated job of defending the Philippines and still they are wasting our money. Maestrales should have been defending the WPS for years now at billions of pesos less.

I don't agree with that... If we got the Maestrales, the cost of the maintenance for those old ships will be way out of our Navy's reach... that was one of the main reasons why our government never pursued them, maintenance is way too expensive, so we decided to acquire new frigates intead!

I swear though, these frigates better be equipped with missiles and torpedoes and sophisticated sonar and radar! Its taking too long! We need to get started on this! by the time this is commissioned, China would already be sending the Liaoning Carrier group to their new homeport in the SCS! We cant waste any more time! The SSV's that we ordered a year ago is still non existent... they haven't started building it yet!

I'm losing hope in our DND... Acquisition for these 2, yes 2! frigates is taking longer than China's artificial islands to be completed!

For me its not a mistake on the part of Arroyo. As what Sir Max said the foundation was laid by her. You cannot just order ( as in buying burger sandwich in a fast food chain) billions of pesos worth of military equipment's without proper planning and the infrastructures set-up in the first place. She started the CUP (Capability Upgrade Program ) in 2005 and composed of 3 phases at 5 yrs each in which the first phase ended in 2010. Each CUP Phase has its own list of military items to be purchased. The year 2010 coincided also the ending of the 15 yr modernization law which started in 1995 and a new administration took over revising the CUP and renaming it to HORIZON but of course with different list of military items in each phases and I think 5 yrs per phase also. Hope this will help you. Also let us leave the corruption scandals because until now the cases filed against her are still with the court there’s no verdict yet since 2010. How come? My take is that the media pre- judge her already.Renbios

Really doesnt matter if Arroyo laid the foundation. So will Aquino lay the foundation in his last year of office and the next incoming president will take the credit for it. As per rhk111 blogger, Pres. Aquino was the best president in terms of arms procurement for the AFP compared with the past presidents except for ex-Pres. Marcos.

I know RHK blog. It wasn’t discuss in his blog entry the economic factors in relation to the the AFP modernization program. For me military spending is tied to our country’s economy. People forgot that during her time she fixed our economy thru fiscal reforms and paid our remaining debts to the IMF. So I guess because of this 2 factors our country now has the capacity to appropriate money on civil and military projects on a large scale. The present admin is now reaping the benefits the hardwork done by the past admin. Renbioshttp://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/24802/economy/rp-to-pay-last-of-imf-obligations-bsp

In my personal opinion, I blame the presidents (D. Macapagal, F. Marcos, C. Aquino, F. Ramos, J. Estrada. G. Arroya & B. Aquino) for the loss of North Borneo to Malaysia up to the present time when we lost Scarborough Shoal to China. They have not even finished off the NPA movement & the Muslim rebellion. They are all politically weak presidents (except Marcos), lacks patriotism & nationalism, no foresight and no charismatic qualities. What we need are leaders with the minds and brilliance (except their evil side) of the likes of Hitler, Hirohito, Mussolini, J. Kennedy, F. Castro, V. Putin, etc. whose nationalistic & patriotic fervours made their nations & countries united, strong & powerful. They knew and foresee beforehand that future wars will happen and the Chinese, Russian & North Korean leaders are preparing for it. So be also prepared to run to the mountains or be ready with your US visa bec. nothing will protect Metro Manila once Chinese missiles starts raining in our cities. Only US Statehood can make the AFP a strong military as part of the US armed forces and the "only way" we can kick China out of Spratly Islands.

Even with its age and model it is an ideal aircraft for a small airforce like the PAF. It's multi mode missions capability is a plus factor and that would give the PAF airmen additional training and experience for a growing and revitalizing airforce not to mention the cost in acquiring these 2 planes. " bang for the bucks" .

The PAF really needs this plane and more C130 to strengthen our air defense capability much more the skills of our pilot. We dont have to wait for all FA50 to be delivered. Why not reactivate the F5 to become airworthy. Our Korean friends has the capability to repair refurbishe and upgrade the F5. We still have in active duty pilots to train new pilots to fly the F5 in the likes of Col Okol. In this way we can have air deterrent against the Chinese. What can you say max? is this possible?

The PAF F-5s are now in very poor condition and reactivating them will cost more than getting ready to use F-E/F Tigers. Let's move on from the F-5s as even the PAF don't see thenselves flying those relics anymore.

If the AFP wants cheap purchase cost, low operational & maintenance cost, brand-new, can carry most of the armaments that the F-16 and F-15 carries, and an advance MRF with the possibility of technology transfer, the Northrop F-20 Tigershark is the answer. It has the capabilities of the F-16 Viper and the successor of the F-5 Tiger II. Northrop would probably agree re-activate the F-20 program, transfer the technology to us and manufacture it in the US & the Philippines if we will buy the F-20s in large quantity.

The F-20 is dead. Forget it. There's no infrastructure to support it and if you create the infrastructure yourself then it will be a very expensive project for an obsolete fighter jet. It's dead. Forget it.

If you want to invest in an advanced MRF with tech transfer, join the South Korean KFX project. Learn as much as possible and get a 4.5 generation fighter jet out of it. Do not go chasing after obsolete dreams. The F-20 is dead.

This is where you are wrong. The S. Korean KFX is an extremely expensive stealth fighter development project which our government cannot afford.You are already thinking big that is impossible to do with our low defense budget.. Start with the F-20 just like what S. Korea started with the F-16 then develop the basic infrastracture before we advance to stealth technology which we don't have any knowhow. Even just 1 Rafale or Typhoon or F-35 MRF we cannot buy, how do you expect to start on a KFX program. You do not know what you are talking about.

i read from SK officials and kai aerospace that, the KFX fighter jet is only a 4.5 Gen fighter jet, the purpose of the KFX is little much stronger to F-16V Viper but less stronger than F/A-18EF Super Hornet, so that it cant compete to the US made fighter jets because they have agreement. I believed the price of KFX is not expensive, maybe 75-80 million USD per Unit, little bit higher than F-16V, but much cheeper compare to F/A-18EF(90mil USD), rafale(110mil USD), typhoon(120Mil USD), f-35(135-140Mil USD). its a great choice for our AF if they plan to buy a standard MRFs. but for now we need to increase first our FA-50s with additional 12-36 BVR units for the back bone of our Air Force, because we need more quantities badly for the threat of 2 aircraft carriers of china. and after the KFX program is finished, then we buy 12-24 units.

i read from SK officials and kai aerospace that, the KFX fighter jet is only a 4.5 Gen fighter jet, the purpose of the KFX is little much stronger to F-16V Viper but less stronger than F/A-18EF Super Hornet, so that it cant compete to the US made fighter jets because they have agreement. I believed the price of KFX is not expensive, maybe 75-80 million USD per Unit, little bit higher than F-16V, but much cheeper compare to F/A-18EF(90mil USD), rafale(110mil USD), typhoon(120Mil USD), f-35(135-140Mil USD). its a great choice for our AF if they plan to buy a standard MRFs. but for now we need to increase first our FA-50s with additional 12-36 BVR units for the back bone of our Air Force, because we need more quantities badly for the threat of 2 aircraft carriers of china. and after the KFX program is finished, then we buy 12-24 units.

Sir Max, wala bang plano ang PCG na palagyan ng advanced towed array sonar (ATAS) yung mga incoming patrol ships ng PCG? Maganda sana kung palagyan nila para makatulong sila sa PN. It will still deceive our enemy because it will still look like an ordinary coast guard ship. We can surprise them because they will never think of a PCG with ASW capabilities. Sana naisip na to ng mga top brass of the AFP and the officials of PCG. Malaking savings din ito for the AFP since the PCG is funded by DOTC.

Yes, i agree with you Sir Max that the Navy should be the one who should handle any anti-submarine warfare but because of the very limited budget that our AFP have right now, i think it would be wiser if we ask for help from the PCG for the meantime. PCG is funded by the DOTC and not by the AFP. The PN could then focus their budget on other important assets like our dream to have a fleet of attack submarines.

The PCG is already having difficulty securing funding for more ships, helicopters and men, and fetting sophisticated equipment like towed array sonar won't really help now if they can't even be present on critical areas.

Thank you Sir Max. Tama po kayo. Mukhang imposible nga na mangyari ang sinasabi ko kung simpleng pagpapatrol nga lang ay hindi pa nila magawa. Let's just forget about what i suggested about the PCG operating a towed array sonar since hindi pala sila palaging nagpapatrol sa disputed areas. The PCG should regularly patrol and show its presence especially in the disputed areas. It is the job of the PCG to patrol and guard our seas. The consistent presence of the PCG in the disputed areas is very important. Their consistent presence would suffice to show to the international community that we are not abandoning our claim on the disputed areas. We cannot afford the PN to do the job of the PCG because it may cause miscalculations and we are not yet ready to face the consequences if we allow such an event to happen. The engagement must be white to white as Maxdefense explained on his earlier blog. (Philippine Coast Guard vs Chinese Coast Guard).

The DND should have the second biggest piece in our 2015 budget! Our safety as a nation is much more important than DPWH! To be honest, DPWH only spends a huge chunk of that money in Manila, the budget is not equally distributed between provinces...

And Admin, I have a question, The patrol ships that are coming from Japan were acquired through a loan right? Why don't we just build our own Coast Guard vessels? Building them won't be as complicated as a Navy ship because Coast guard ships are not supposed to have any kind of heavy weapons... Not only can we save money, we're also providing jobs for our own people!!!

Croatia is looking to sell a wide range of its surplus Croatian Air Force aircraft, with the state-owned Alan Agency issuing a new call to tender.

The country hopes to sell seven Mil Mi-24V 'Hind' attack helicopters (manufactured from 1978 to 1987), two Antonov An-32B 'Curl' tactical transport aircraft (manufactured in 1991 and 1993), and six Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer aircraft (three PC-9s manufactured between 1986 and 1991 and three PC-Ms built in 1993).

More because their US masters will not permit it, even though it can be advantageous to us Filipinos. Long the story of the still US colonized Philippines. It's time we cut the chains for our own existential sake.

Suyot for the bucks ito. Better repair the incountry C-130s by the 410th MRO squadron. Way much cheaper and deveops PAF capabilities. Instead of $ to US MRO companies and less PAF capabilities. Yan ang Putok for the bucks.

I think what we immediately need right now is budget to protect our local fishermen from Chinese harassment inside our EEZ, budget for catching illegal Chinese fishing poachers and budget for protecting our PN/PCG naval ships and patrol boats. Start with low-cost budget items (MPACs,Missiles) in large quantities.

Why not start with mother ships for our fishermen crewed by tough trained fishermen themselves and commanded by PCG personnel. A lot of Japanese steel fishing boats can be bought cheaply, or donated by Japan. Then arm them with 50cal MG's and 20mm guns. Marami din yang available cheap surplus.

Arming fishing ships with guns is a diplomatic incident waiting to happen. China would clap their hands in glee, step up their provocation, and wait until some young hotheads shoot someone. This will then allow China to cast the Philippines as some lawless country and turn world opinion against the Philippines.

Imagine the headline "Philippine Outlaws Shoot Unarmed Chinese Fishermen, Chinese Navy Vows to Restore Law and Order in South China Sea". Why in the world would you hand them such a propaganda weapon? What do you expect to accomplish? They aren't going to be afraid of some guns. If you kill several fishermen, they have millions more.

kapatid, anong bumibili ng bago? alm mo bng ilang dekada n, at ngyn lng ulit tyo nkabili ng brand new, last time i checked, plagi nlng tyong bumibili ng 2nd hand, which is hi cost in maintenance, compare s bgong bili n mga kagamitang pangdigma. also i suggest my frend, n we must prepare for the worst and for the future, because peace in the world is only temporal, kaya npakaimportanteng maghanda ng maaga at wla png gera, kya imbes n ibili lng ng mga patrol boats o mga 2nd hand with no fire power equipment, ay ifocus nlng ang pera s mga totoong war equipment. we must think not only for today but rather for the future events, like future wars. we must learn from the history. and also US is our frend, they liberated us from japan, their war equipment is not for invasion, its for defending and protection, kung hindi ntin pinaalis ang US s pinas noon, hindi sana nkagalaw at nkuha ng China ang mga isla ntin, China dont like the US have a strong hold in asia, the best example is the SKorea, if the SKoreans remove US from their land, SKorea will b invaded again, and China loves, US be remove in Korea, so that China can flex his muscles freely in Asia. that is why removing US in the Philippines is a bad and idiotic idea.

Philippine Air ForceAcquires Twoex-USMC C-130TsTWO EX-US Marine CorpsC-130T Hercules are beingacquired by the Philippine AirForce (PAF) to add to just threeHercules currently in service. TheUS Embassy in the Philippinesconfirmed that a Letter of Offerand Acceptance for the aircraftwas signed on January 8.The aircraft are at Joint ReserveNaval Air Station Fort WorthJoint Reserve Base, Texas, anddelivery is expected in the firstquarter of 2016. One is KC-130T163022 ‘QH-022’ (c/n 5040)from VMGR-234 at Fort Worth.Although currently equippedas tankers, they will bede-modified for use as standardtransport C-130Ts by the PAF.The procurement is valued atabout $55 million. The US isproviding $20 million in USForeign Military Financing(FMF) towards this purchase.

The politicos are after the "TV sound bite" - whatever makes them look good in front of the cameras with the issues relevant to Pinoys at present time. In truth, they couldn't care less about AFP modernization - since they themselves would be the first to admit privately they don't trust the military, since any equipment they procure could be potentially used against them in a coup.

A former naval officer of the Philippine Navy, initially a reservist before becoming an active officer, opted to retire early and migrate to another country. Aside from being in the service, he has been following Philippine and regional defence issues, as well as military technology and industrial movements, and developments in regional military upgrades since the mid 1990s. He has been involved in other defence sites & minor publications for the past several years, and a regular at regional defence exhibitions & symposiums. Currently works as a systems consultant for a foreign military organisation. As a defence writer, he has no political affiliation, and would not hesitate to criticise any political leader, organisation, or political part when issues on defence and security of the Philippines are believed to be in peril.