The Philippine air force has begun drawing up its requirement for six new long-range maritime-patrol aircraft (MPAs), as part of a recently approved 15-year defence-modernisation programme.
A replacement fleet of MPAs represents the air force's next procurement priority after the acquisition of new multi-role fighters and surveillance radars. In April, the Philippines initiated its defence-modernisation drive by issuing its first two requests for proposals (RFPs) to competing fighter and radar suppliers (Flight International, 7-13 May).
New MPAs are needed to replace the air force's elderly Fokker RF27 maritime-reconnaissance aircraft, only one of which is thought to be operational. The air force is understood to be looking for an aircraft with a maximum range of up to 3,700km (2,000nm), equipped with search radar and a forward-looking infra-red sensor.
The aircraft will be used to enforce the Philippines' recently established 370km economic-exclusion zone around the archipelago. Attention is particularly focused on continuing Chinese incursions into waters around the South China Sea Spratly islands, which are claimed by the Philippines, among others.
Other missions for the winning aircraft include countering smuggling, ship hijackings and detection of oil spills.
Consideration is given to selecting a common generic aircraft, suitable for other roles. The air force is looking for three new light transports, an airborne command-and-control aircraft and two electronic-warfare airframes.
Competing manufacturers have expressed interest in the MPA requirement. Despite its size, Lockheed Martin is keen to offer a version of its P-3C Orion, while CASA of Spain and Indonesia's IPTN will almost certainly offer MPA variants of the CN235. Other types expected to be offered include the Embraer EMB-120, Saab 340, Aero International (Regional) Jetstream 41and the de Havilland Dash 8 Triton 300.
It is expected that a final MPA contract could be awarded by mid-1998. Other high-priority items which are expected to go to tender shortly include the requirement for three search-and-rescue helicopters and up to eight airfield point-defence systems.
According to local defence sources, the air force is also expected to issue a request for tender by July 1998 for up to 12 "surface-attack aircraft". Candidates include the Alenia/Aermacchi/ Embraer AMX and British Aerospace Hawk.
Source: Flight International
