Military Hardware Sales vs. Imposed and Planned Arms Restrictions

In times of political correctness and the necessity of gathering more tools for enhancing national security aims, things really went nasty in terms of military-related transactions especially on the plans of purchasing equipment due to premises that ought to restrict weapons trade. This is something beyond the corporate dilemma that questions credibility between a seller and a buyer.

Pitz Defense Analysis Note: This article isn't aiming to side anyone or anybody on the position. It only provides about the eventualities between the seller and buyer should things went favorable or unfavorable. This comes from a perspective where things in the corporate world provide and operate. Enjoy reading!

TOPIC OVERVIEW

A Canadian Bell 412 Combat Utility Helicopter. The Philippine
Air Force has a number of those, with supposedly additional units
being canceled under the grounds of so-called human rights violations
even though this is intended for disaster response and counterterrorism operations.
Image obtained from Philippine Air Space Blogspot

Different Armed Forces across the world have different forms of threat where various tools suited for such threats are needed to deter or eliminate it as the end user wishes it to do so. And the number of security-related needs is where the military-industrial complexes or "defense industries" rely upon for sales pitch and revenue which is usual in a business-oriented organization.

Putting it on the corporate terms, the deals and projects taking place by the number of nations across the world especially the ones that focus on strengthening its forces against a formidable threat like a foreign incursion or terrorism is definitely the bread and butter for these companies to take wherein bagging it may mean additional credibility which in turn equates to more sales pitches in the future. Imagine a company like the Korean Aerospace Industries that produced a squadron of FA-50PH for the Philippine Air Force. 

By the fact that such combat aircraft were used to flush out terrorists last year in Marawi City is something that makes them proud where their product was used where it satisfies its customer. Alongside the price and quality that FA-50s (or any of KAI's T-50 variants) will offer, such achievements may convince other nations to purchase such products where it was tried and tested.

Bagging several military projects across the world is something that a defense company aspires to where the more project opportunities ended up on their favor, the better it is for the business and its operations. However, this is not always the case. 

Governments of countries that is home of several defense industries with products subject for foreign use at times come up with series of rules or laws which will restrict the transactions involving military equipment in which it goes with the assurance that these assets may not fall into the hands either to the enemy posing as a threat against the country that homes several defense companies or to an unstable government operated by a tyrant that inflicts bloodshed on its citizens especially the ones that go against it (or we can say this as a human rights kind of thing). One notable example is in the case of Iran where the United Nations impose such restrictions on this country.

In the case of the Philippines, the recent instances of spewing rhetoric in terms of alleged human rights allegations and other concerning things within the present administration put several future transactions for military equipment into risk such as the Bell 412 deal between the Philippines and Canada where the latter's key government officials like the International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne together with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland opts to review the said deal and blocked it if given grounds are suitable enough to implement it. Add to this is the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned that they are looking into the way Canadian-made equipment is being used by its end users.

This kind of scenario, especially the arms restrictions part, is something that is considered a balancing act between nationalistic/moralistic principles against economic benefits, profitability, and sales where defense companies somewhat stand in between these extremes. It is somewhat upholding their home nation's prevailing laws against their very business perspectives in which the lives of the industry's employees lie at stake. 

From a corporate standpoint, this definitely hurts the main stakeholders where all of those opportunities especially selling weapons on nations that are interested including those who have a problematic form of government will be gone, dwindling sales in the process. Moreover, the end-user may also get affected by these matters with reasons given as this article goes on.

THE MIDDLE EAST EXAMPLE

The Royal Saudi Navy Al Riyadh-class Frigate. From Pakistani Defence Forum

The notable example with regards to the balancing act between the sales of sophisticated military equipment and national armed restrictions definitely aims in this region which lies the vast resources of oil that drives the portion of the world's economy --The Middle Eastern Region.

Oil-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and several others are purchasing arms for its respective armed forces. A number of these oil-exporting countries are also considered as Human Rights violators where several weapons exporters like the United States are restricting the transactions or otherwise have such obstacles loosen up. In the details, the recent conflict in Yemen where both the United States and the United Kingdom still provide weapons to Saudi Arabia where it impacts the lives of civilians in the battle zone, mounting casualties among them. 

Despite these "violable activities", the oil-rich nations still obtain some sophisticated weaponry ranging from tanks to fighter jets considering that selling weapons on these countries with resources like oil as a form of a business is something that will boost up sales in the defense industry, bagging financial gains from several contracts which provides profit for the defense industry. 

That is definitely a thing that keeps businesses up and running folks regardless of which industry one is under, gaining a profit is something that worths the corporate operations especially the hardships of the employees working for it. To understand the nature of arms sales in the region, please provide the time allocated in reading this document provided by the Federation of American Scientists or FAS (The file format is in PDF form).

With the Middle Eastern example come at play, the fight between arms restrictions and arms sales is obvious enough to consider in a sense that in an observation, foreign policy at times come at play with military sales of weaponry. This provides the knowledge that may come helpful when it comes to the Philippine Context.

THE PHILIPPINE CONTEXT

The Swedish Government is keen for arms restrictions in which
it may affect deals such as the Multirole fighter project for the
Philippine Air Force.

Throughout the years since the Revised AFP Modernization program started off, the Philippine Armed Forces is on the process purchasing military equipment, recruiting much aspiring military personnel, and improving its organizational composition which goes in line to its primary goal in 2028 as an enhanced Armed Forces with improvement in its capabilities sufficient enough for minimum credible deterrence.

Since the Duterte Administration started last 2016, several weapons-exporting nations are either expressing concerns on the so-called "human rights violations" deserving for an arms restriction. This comes in line that conditions are applied with regards to weapons purchase which depends on the variations of laws such a nation processes. 

One country on the process for such a condition is Sweden where its military arms exports increased by two percent as of last year's stats. Just to take note of the details of the article, the Philippines is considered as its latest export client where it may pertain to the SAAB Sea Giraffe sensors intended to the Philippine Navy's Del Pilar-class Frigates. 

However, the Swedish government may opt for Arms Restrictions in which it may affect sales such as for the SAAB's JAS-39 Gripen multirole fighter jet (MRF) which they market across the nations that have MRF programs, including the Philippines.

The case of Sweden is still minimal and may still get change considering that the law on arms restrictions or rules per se against non-democratic and human rights violators are still on the process of approval. 

These things aren't gone far worse than what these two nations did especially in terms of the stiffness of arms restrictions against the Philippine Republic. These said two nations' actions and policies against arms sales are affecting the progress of the projects as well as losing the opportunity of the arms industries to bag the project and provide the tools for the armed forces to need. 

The said two nations as described here refers to the countries Belgium and Canada.

Belgium

Belgium is a country in Europe where the capital city is situated in Brussels. This city is also where the main headquarters of the European Union (EU) is situated. Even though the present administration and the EU are not in good terms one after the other, the percussions aren't keen too much between Brussels and Manila in EU terms even in the Belgian National Level. 

As a matter of fact, the main obstacle to the whole arms restrictions debacle lies in the hands-on the French-speaking Walloon Regional Government. To provide some idea folks, Belgium has three regions composing its National Territory. To the north, there is the Dutch-speaking Flemish Region, on the center, there is the Brussels-Capital Region and to the South, there is the French-speaking Walloon National Government which as presumed several military and defense industrial complexes are situated including the company named CMI Defense which is the provider of gun turrets intended for light or medium tanks such as Turkey's Otokar Tulpar and Indonesia's Kaplan tank. 

These things provide the obstacles especially in Horizon 2 that the Philippine Army opts for light tanks intended to enhance its firepower capabilities. From the corporate perspective, this restriction keeps Walloon-based defense industries to have more opportunities like the ones for the Armed Forces where it means more market to obtain and grow. Nevertheless, the existing markets that these industries, as well as the opportunities that it obtains, will render the opportunity with the Philippines at a minimal loss. 

It might as well be good with regards to this issue if terms and conditions are to be discussed by both sides so as it will provide the win-win solution where parties involved will benefit.

Canada

Lying in the northern borders of the United States, this is a country which is considered as the second-largest nation in terms of territorial size on the whole world, after the Russian Federation. It is also home to a proportionate number of Filipino-born citizens who decided to either work in this country with several others eventually settle down. 

Aside from these aforementioned facts that describe Canada, this country went abuzz across Philippine Defense Platforms as well as in both mainstream and social media outlets when its government in Ottawa decided to "review" the transactions involving Bell 412 Combat Utility Helicopters intended for the Philippine Air Force under the grounds of so-called "human rights atrocities". 

As clarified, the Armed Forces of the Philippines explicates that these helicopters aren't simply suited for attack operations where it is intended more for troop support against insurgency elements in terms of immediate deployment and pulling out wounded personnel in the field as well as Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HADR) operations where relief goods are delivered on inaccessible areas as well as transport trapped or wounded civilians out from danger. 

In fact, the Philippines already have a deal before with the same company about the same aircraft. This prior deal dates back to years 2014-2015 where the Philippine Air Force receives eight Bell 412 helicopters as agreed on the contract signed therein. Given these things, it hampers logistical components of the air force as well as the potentials that it entails. 

In the case of corporate culture, this comes with questionable reliability of the supplier in terms of having a deal where both sides are on the losing end with the so-called "upholding principles" of arms regulations with political and human rights as a measurement for eligible transaction-doing. This is an opportunity for sales pitch lost in the process as the Philippine Government canceled the deal and it prompts the Canadian Government in Ottawa to have its defense-oriented company Crown Corporation to be less reliant on arms sales.

Potential Others

Aside from Belgium (thru Wallonia Regional Government) and Canada, nations such as Sweden as well as France are on the pressure in their respective governments to set up guidelines with regards to arms sales wherein it is detrimental for arms restrictions.

This comes as key coalition groups and some key people in their respective governments are worried that it may be used on violence in the same way as Canada and Belgium did on the Philippines on the premise of so-called "human rights violations". 

In the case of France, the pressure of arms sales comes more from the conflict on a Middle Eastern country of Yemen in which nations such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates receives arms imports from the United States and several European nations that produce weaponry. 

So far as these things are concerned, the arms restrictions aren't inflicting that much damage on both sides that much yet where negotiations may still take place for the better considering that the Armed Forces and its personnel have its hands off the issue and will uphold human rights as intended. 

It might as well be better to restart transactions without any political fanfare where such assets as used shall get intended to flushing insurgent threats inside the country as well as the outside ones and the suppliers gaining sales in the process. This will be a win-win for defense industries and countries with a desire of protecting their own citizens against a threatening enemy.

KNOWING THE CORPORATE CONTEXT

The production line for F-16 Fighter jets. Courtesy of the Drive.

In terms of any business, the primary concept of operations or management especially in the manufacturing industry is that sales are needed to be pitched in terms of selling quality-based products in quantities needed depending on various projects in the sense that it really matters especially on the continuity of the production line like the ones given in the photo above about fighter jets like the F-16.

As long as deals are still rolling such as this one between Bahrain and Lockheed Martin, jobs are still provided to the people especially the ones that cater military assets to the ones that need it in exchange for cash stipulated in the contract. In case we wonder, the United States dropped the conditions needed for arms sales about this Middle Eastern Nation in which allows the transactions that keep the F-16 line open. 

By that sense, these situations given provide the picture about the essence of arms sales in which a defense-industrial complex still keeps the production line open. Add to that, the additional transactions taking place means additional opportunity for these industries to enhance more sales which generate income in the process where it covers the cost of making the aircraft, the components it obtains, fixed and variable overheads, operating expense, and of course, profit for the company's growth. 

Arms restrictions, in this case, hamper the opportunity these companies may have in terms of arms sales. However, given the laws a nation has for arms sales and the conditions needed to meet up, there is something that defense companies shall comply as a safeguard that weapons shall not fall into the wrong hands. 

It is ideal from a moral standpoint but considers as a dilemma in line with business ethics with regards to the military and defense-related context.

CONCLUSION

The two extremes - the sale of military equipment that rockets sales and the income along with it versus arms restrictions where conditions shall be met for a legitimate transaction are the forces, opposite on each other where it pulls the decision-makers and stakeholders of a defense industry to make a decision as well as providing ideas where a resolution of both sides needs to be met to the profitability of a company as well as compliance with the laws enacted in a country in the same way as any businesses will do.

As for the supplier (the defense industry), the scenario will be this - either pursuing the government to resume transactions through lobbying or looking for alternatives such as other markets that may need such equipment with the eligibility to make out a deal. 

In the case of the buyer like the Philippines given the Canadian and Belgian restriction issues, it might as well be essential if negotiations may initiate where terms and conditions will be ironed out where a transaction may still proceed or rather, just like the supplier, will be looking for the alternative military industry which is more than willing to provide the material needed to enhance the capabilities intended to defend the nation against existing threats varying from terrorism to foreign incursion. 

However, looking for alternatives may hamper logistical issues for the end-user to have, incurring the cost for spare parts as well as the operations of assets that are not in line with the doctrines of the end-user. Those things definitely hamper the capabilities of an armed force where decision-makers badly needed to consider.

Hence, with these circumstances playing on weapons sales and the risk of not falling into the wrong hands, the clash of arguments between the pragmatic essence of obtaining opportunities against the principles of several supplier nations applied on their respective laws with conditions that are needed to have a legitimate deal will continue through a time where both points are needed to consider in terms to have a nice reputation especially on defense companies that aspires in the same way as any business organization will do. 

There will be times that the former will prevail over the latter and vice versa. To sum it up, these things are set up of what is to be the reality on weapons deal where safeguards are needed to protect the innocent from harmful abuse of these tools. 

And to consider the lifeline of the defense industries relying on weapons sales, it might as well be good to have the best deal on a good condition where terms are agreed, the materiel supplanted for enhancing capabilities on dealing threats and sales pitching which is in the good benefit of all parties involved.

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Importance of Support Services for Equipment Enhancement

Weapons are indeed that lethal when seen on combat. However, such a dilemma will definitely hamper by problems in maintenance, storage, and other support services in which every armed force should they consider keeping their equipment operational.

OVERVIEW

Philippine Air Force's new fighter trainer jets. Source stated in the photo as a watermark.

The Philippine Armed Forces at present gets a certain number of equipment that it gets, which includes sophisticated equipment. In this case, the Philippine Air Force presently has 12 newly bought FA-50PH which are categorized as Lead-in Fighter Aircraft by the end user which are used as a transitional platform for the pilots to use as the plans of buying more sophisticated aircraft like the multi-role aircraft (MRF) are being materialized behind the scenes.

Buying military equipment isn't always pertaining to simply getting it and use it up to its purpose. Like a vehicle got by a single family, practicality options are to be considered where aside from the main equipment itself, support services shall also be checked out in its worth wherein it is vital for the armed forces to have so as it will determine the lifespan and usefulness of the military equipment through enhancing its maintenance, streamlining logistics, and of course, providing facilities for suiting these jets for local use which is to tweak its capacity depending to the capability of a nation to do so as well as on the terms of the deal like tech transfer.

Just so we know, gaining military capabilities and military equipment comes with a step-by-step process in order to get things right without a hitch. This refers to understanding D-O-T-M-L-P-F + P or Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel and Facilities plus Policy and its application to fill up capability gaps within the Armed Forces. We will discuss it in-depth later on in this website.

Read more: DOTMLPF-P Analysis - AcqNotes

IMPORTANCE

Philippine Air Force FA-50 Lead-in Fighter Trainer.
Credits to the photo owner.

The importance of military infrastructure, particularly to its support services, is indeed vital that are essential to ensure victory in the battlefield. Such services are so very important that it pretty determine a nation's victory in a war a a whole.

It's easy for any military to buy a weapons system from the defense industry (provided that they have the financial resources to do so). But if others can own the same piece of hardware, how to do an air force gain an edge over others? 

Operational requirements differ between end users. One of the major differences that separates the professional user and the average one is the ability to change and adapt any weapon bought on the open market to suit local operational requirements. This is the first step to achieving the capability of indigenous production of particular equipment. 

The ability to improve on a standard piece of kit by making local modifications to it to extend its combat capability. An example for the Philippines would be the FA-50PH. Does the PAF have an in house capability to change the FA-50PH to extend it's capability? For example, change its radar source code to adapt it to match local conditions to make it more effective? Or introducing your own indigenous Electronic Warfare updates to its self-protection suite? If these capabilities are non existent, then depending on external support means a potential security compromise. 

It also means you won't be able to adapt fast enough to changing threats and mission requirements. Should the AFP concentrate on developing local a Electronic Warfare directorate to drive development of indigenous Electronic Warfare equipment and tactics? Is the current AFP in general ignoring the vital fourth domain of soft kill Electronic Warfare? 

Electronic Warfare is a highly sensitive, even taboo, subject. Other countries guard their Electronic Warfare secrets tightly and rarely share them with others. Even off the shelf jamming pods are often supplied as black boxes with only the most basic of operation modes. To bring out the best, the user have to upload their own operational doctrines into the system. If the Philippines don't have the capability to do so, it would be at the mercy of those who have already mastered the so called 'Black Magic of Modern Warfare'.

Overall, such weapons will still render useless even if it is so sophisticated in nature, citing that it shows vulnerabilities in a way that once exploited, this weapon will never function and thus, infiltrating an airspace will be a piece of cake. In covert operations, such vulnerabilities, as suggested, must be mitigated at an earlier time possible from the point of discovery so as there will be no regrets in the future. For such vulnerabilities, if left unchecked, will have devastating consequences.

SUMMARY/MAIN POINT

FA-50PH in formation. Credits to its owner.

The main point given here is directly correlated to "tech transfer" opted for maintenance. In this matter, the Philippines does not have the current capability to change the capabilities of an aircraft, especially on its software. 

Even the Government-owned Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation can do it where it is primarily opted for aircraft maintenance, repair and assembly of aircraft even though its driving force are for self-reliance, technology transfer and national security. The Revised AFP Modernization Program or R.A. 7898 emphasizes this matter, which it goes in line with improve capabilities that may include modification and weapons adaptability that include the ideas on Electronic Warfare. These may do not come clearly in the picture yet since they rarely discuss it because of the lack of updates and more priorities on improving other areas, but it doesn't mean that the hope is gone. 

It may get materialized later, but in the end, it is still those within the ranks and others who are involved are the ones who will call the shots. In the end, it is welcoming that military procurement is still taking place, and there may be assurance that soon, not at the present, that topics like this will get into the picture once more.

(c) 2018 PDA, first edition 8-5-2022

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Sulu Sea Security and the New Coast Guard Base in Zamboanga City's West Coast

The Philippine Coast Guard presently undertakes its own modernization program aside from the ones in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) where its highlights include new vessels such as the Parola-class MRRVs or the Multi-Role Response Vessels. Aside from that, there are also other interesting developments especially the ones situated near the notorious Sulu Sea.

IN THE NEWS

A Philippine Coast Guard Parola-class vessel BRP Tubbataha, the lead ship.

Providing maritime security is indeed an essential thing for an archipelagic nation like the Philippines to have where livelihood, peace, and economic progress lies to the geographical setup that it obtains at present. Talking about maritime security, it is the role of both the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to protect the waters and coastline that correlates to the nation's sovereignty.

In order to attain or improve the capabilities of upholding their respective mandates, both the Philippine Navy and the Coast Guard are modernizing its equipment as well as facilities where the primary aim is to deter any threats at sea that may hamper national security and economic progress.

And this is what is the Coast Guard aims to have especially on the construction of its bases for Southern Negros, Catanduanes, Siargao, and Zamboanga. Out of these four places that a Coast Guard bases will be built, the one from Zamboanga City is somewhat interesting where its proximity to the Sulu Sea makes maritime security in the area better. According to the report given by the Manila Bulletin, this Coast Guard base will be built in Zamboanga's Economic Zone Authority complex or ZamboEcozone where this area in itself is intended for economic development which is vital to the region and of the nation's progress.

This Php168 million development will cater modern facilities for the Coast Guard with an additional Php19 million to be used for having sophisticated, state-of-the-art equipment such as radar station and communication facilities as well as a finger wharf for Philippine Coast Guard vessels such as the Parola-class MRRVs to dock (see photo above). Given these details, the capabilities given is an improvement in terms of protecting the area specifically the Sulu Sea which in itself is infested with transiting insurgents and pirates that targets large vessels that may hamper the development needs of Zamboanga City, the Philippines, and its neighbors where it will affect the operations and the economics considering that the ZamboEcozone is specifically created for that matter.

With the correlation of Sulu Sea Security and those of the Coast Guard's development of its base on an Economic Zone estate, here are the things that might have come more interesting as security and progress are interrelated by that manner that the lives of local citizens or say, the whole nation will be affected, either in a direct or an indirect way.

DETAILS - INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO KNOW

The main office of Zamboanga Economic Zone Authority.
Via Wikimedia Commons.

As interesting as the nature of the news itself, it might as well be a better thing to know with regards to the organizations and parties involved as well as the areas, proximities, projects and other things that will give this project value and significance especially in terms of security and economic progress.

First, it is worthy to know about the location where the base will be built. Case in note folks, this does not pertain to any Operational Security attributes considering that news outlets disclose it publicly and its intended location is also known. Now, it is being said that the new Coast Guard base in Zamboanga will be constructed within the Zamboanga Economic Zone Authority which lies 22kms Northwest away from the City Center to the West Coast Barangay of Talisayan, in its sitio named San Ramon.

Click to enlarge the file. Source

As pointed on the map, this area faces Basilan Strait in the south while facing the Sulu Sea in it's West and Northwest where from there alone gives us an idea how vital it may be having a base in the location considering the dire situation that hampers economic progress that badly needs the solution.

To recall things up, the Sulu Sea is indeed a problem among the countries Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia where at one point in time, their respective armed forces are conducting patrols in the area where the threats of terrorism and piracy even require these nations to inter-operate each other in order to further secure this porous border that badly needs more security. More security in the sense that any piracy encounters at sea will deter more and eventually, making the Sulu Sea less dangerous place than it is at present.

(See more: The Trilateral Sulu Sea Air Patrols and the Maritime Patrol Capabilities)

And to further connect this to the intended mandate of the Zamboanga City Economic Zone Authority, it aspires to be the hub of trade and business opportunities where it seeks investors to pour in their resources and eventually, flourish the needs of the citizens of the nation especially on this Southwestern part of the Philippines. 

Let us take for instance this Private-Public Partnership (PPP) project of the ZamboEcozone called "San Ramon Newport Project" which is one of the essentials for the eventual economic growth of Zamboanga City, the island of Mindanao, and of course, the Philippines. Its aim as the world-class economic zone will not be possible without securing maritime security or maritime domain awareness especially on the threats that the murky Sulu Sea waters obtain. 

So, having a sophisticated Philippine Coast Guard base assigned in the area, complete with radar stations and communication sets as well as a port area for its ships to dock provides the solution in which eventually, the waters will be safe for merchant ships to sail across without any worries of any threats that lie ahead.

Aside from the merchant and commercial ships that will once dock at the future San Ramon Newport at completion, local industries that rely on maritime resources such as the sardines will also benefit where its effect on industry growth further defines the City's title as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines. 

The industry comprises a number of Canning factories in the area, notably in the West Coast of the city near the Economic Zone. A number of sardine brands may have its way originated from Zamboanga City, which gives an idea of how large is the impact the industry has among Filipinos as well as its importance of feeding families of those who rely on maritime-based livelihood. 

With the new base being in the materialization phase, these fishing vessels will be secure in the sense that marine companies will catch more fish which in turn gives the livelihood to the locals and feed the industry which supplies the demand of Sardines in the country and abroad. Add to that the economic effects of it where it may go as vibrant as the trade that the Zamboanga Economic Zone Authority may provide as the years go by.

And now to the technology that the Coast Guard will have in this new base. Given the reports, it will be provided with radar stations capable of detecting objects covering swathes of territory which may include portions, if not all of the Sulu Sea. 

The nature of radar sensors that the Philippine Coast Guard will be using, given its existing system of radar stations and communication centers across the country, will be more of a Vessel Traffic Management System or VTMS which is a sea version of Air Traffic Control radars designed for navigational guidance and detection of vessels that are sailing in the sea that is as appropriate with San Ramon Newport also being built in the area. These things will be enhanced further with Japan building more Coast Guard Radar Stations in Sulu and Celebes Seas that also goes in line with this prospect of improving Maritime Security and Domain Awareness in the area concerned.

These sets of programs on capability enhancements such as building more bases, facility improvements, procurement of additional vessels, and recruitment of personnel shows the determination of the Philippine Coast Guard where, like its counterparts in the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Defense Department, are in an effort to boost, enhance, and improve its present capabilities where the primary aims are to have a stronger, more firm, and a secured nation that paves growth and development across the country for the citizens to cherish and appreciate. 

Hence, building bases and radar stations are as essential as purchasing of vessels and more personnel recruitments wherein the case of Multi-role response vessels, seven out of ten units are already delivered with the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) being the latest vessel to be in the Coast Guard fleet.

THE HOPES FOR A SECURED SULU SEA WHICH IS OPEN FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Embed from Getty Images

As the whole nation progress throughout time, the number of opportunities will increase especially in terms of trade. And having businesses have factors that cover national and maritime security issues which affect economic growth across neighboring nations.

Alongside with the fact Zamboanga City being the center of industry lenient on marine products such as Sardines, this enhancement of capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard will also cover vessels at sea that are gathering marine resources in which it is beneficial to the local industry that relies on marine resources wherein turn helps the economy of Zamboanga City as well as those of the Philippines in the sense that it also indirectly provides the food security in terms of marine resources. With fishing and commercial vessels safer, this may eventually lead to the growth that locals might aspire as well as this may pave way for more economic benefits which laborers may finally have something to bring home for their families to feed, enjoy and live comfortably.

Hence, this portion of the Coast Guard Modernization is as important as other base projects, purchase of vessels like the Multi-Role Response Vessels such as the Parola-class patrol boats and recruitments of aspirants in which they desire to serve for the nation in a way that providing Maritime Domain Awareness and Security is their thing that grows economies and benefits the masses.

==========
As of this date of posting, there are no updates yet with regards to recruitment for the Coast Guard except the June 03-04 PCGABT exam. For those who miss the results of the November 2017 exam, the details can be seen here. Check the official Philippine Coast Guard website for recruitment updates as well as our Facebook page at the times that we post updates about it. Thank you.

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The Perspective on the Status of the Philippine Fleet

The Philippine Navy, just like the other branches within the Armed Forces of the Philippines wants to become a capable organization where they can do their respective duties and responsibilities to protect the nation. With the series of unfavorable circumstances from budgetary problems to issues about system technicalities, let this be an avenue of gathering perspectives, understanding it and the essence of what is to gain or loss should a variable of circumstances may happen therein.

INTRODUCTION

The fleet is modernizing, but a bulk of it still
consists of old World War 2 era vessels.
Courtesy: Navy 2018 Calendar.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines have its Modernization program in the process where a share of resources like funding are distributed or allocated for these programs to materialize alongside paid salaries for military personnel, preventive maintenance schedules, and procurement of spares as well as improving facilities for sheltering personnel and material which is essential for morale and equipment lifespan.

In the case of the Philippine Navy, it procured multiple vessels and other assets in which it will definitely enhance further its intended mandate with its capabilities far better than what was obtained a decade before. From Patrol Frigates to Multipurpose attack crafts as well as Landing Platform Docks and Naval Helicopters, these things are indeed very useful in terms of multiple things ranging from patrolling territorial waters to Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response that are beneficial for its purpose to partake. However, some things need to be done especially for more improvements to take place. This definitely includes putting older vessels to rest in means like decommissioning it as well as understanding the approach with regards to the planned assets that will replace them.

With the Navy's "grandest" modernization project in "full rough sailing" mode, it becomes problematic to the uncertain status with regards to the replacement of older vessels as well as the dire state of the fleet through the look of it wherein it provides the series of problems that the high ranks of the organization may definitely come up with a difficult decision to do where things definitely lie at stake with regards to the capabilities the Naval fleet may bring as time passes by.

PRESENT FLEET COMPOSITION - 2018 AS OF POSTING

BRP Rizal, a former World War 2 era vessel serving the United
States Navy.

Being one of those people witnessing the materialization of the AFP Modernization Program taking place, most of the updates at the recent date usually cover newly-brought naval vessels for capability enhancement where, in the case of the Philippine Navy, includes former 60s-70s era U.S. Coast Guard cutters which are now called the Del Pilar-class frigates, newly-built multi-purpose attack crafts (MPAC) for littoral usages, Indonesian-made Tarlac-class Landing Platform Docks, and several others.

Those vessels that were mentioned only define the portion of what the Philippine Navy fleet consists of. There are other vessels which are, although as not as capable as the ones given, but still an essential part of the fleet considering that the nation is an Archipelago in geographical terms where a country with a long coastline have a responsibility to protect and defend it from both domestic and foreign elements as well as the territorial waters surrounding it. And, if we are to add it further, that also means defending the so-called "sovereign rights" in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas where there shall be exploitation on subterranean territory whilst every ship has the right to pass by under the premise of International Law through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

That being said, the remainder of the fleet primarily consists of patrol corvettes (Jacinto-class, Miguel Malvar-class, and Rizal-class), transport, and amphibious vessels (Landing Craft Units, various), and small patrol crafts. And to take note, this remainder of the fleet contains some of the vessels which are definitely old enough that badly needs to be replaced as time passes by. In that case, we are referring to the ones that are considered as World War 2-era vessels such as the Rizal and Miguel Malvar-class corvettes. These vessels are originally the ones used by the United States in the conflict against the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Pacific where the Rizal-class was then known as the Auk-class and Admirable-class vessels which are both designed and designated as minesweepers at that time.

These lightly-armed, fairly-old vessels are still operating even at present even though production for both the hull and spares was closed half a decade ago where maintaining these ships are a struggle for the fleet to have in a sense that several hulls needed to be decommissioned just to cannibalize it for spare parts where finding a replacement for an inactive ship faces difficulties of sorts.

Nevertheless, the Modernization Program in itself somewhat relieves the problem of having the potential shortage of hulls needed to defend the nation from unwanted elements at sea. However, things are needed to be done where, at these phases of the whole process, things in mind are needed consideration herein.

THE POINTS

The old ships which are still in service shall not be taken for granted if these are to operate further through the time. Case in the note, the urgency of having these old, obsolete platforms is there where projects ranging from Offshore Patrol Vessels/Multipurpose Patrol Vessels to Full, Battle Ready Combat Vessels shall replace these old ones.

Given the urgencies upon these matters, one of the most ideal as well as the immediate (or say, interim) solution to the problem was to purchase second-hand hulls to cover the requirements while newer assets are being planned and materialized in which time takes it so to set dates, requirements, and standards as well as building it where eventually, the vessels will get delivered on the date on which both sides agreed and written on the contract where it usually took place a year or two from signing of papers and the "Notice to Proceed" documentation. 

Given the history, the purchase of second-hand combat ships isn't new for the Philippine Navy. From World War 2 era vessels to the modern Del Pilar-class frigates, these ships are the testament of its former glory when it was still in service with their respective primary users as well as its usefulness being emphasized within the Philippine Navy service where each of these used vessels is still being utilized for patrolling territorial waters against various threats despite the age. Both the ships and their crew are worth commendable by this manner therein.

As of date, there are various proposals, both past and present with regards to purchasing both used ones and brand new ones. Speaking of the former, that includes the deal with the South Koreans over the Pohang-class corvette ROKN Chungju where its status at present is uncertain given the lack of latest updates about it. Others include the "supposed" Baptista de Andrade and Joao Coutinho-class corvettes from Portugal as well as the other "supposed" Maestrale-class frigates from Italy where, for various reasons, may not end up in the fleet of the Philippine Navy. Nevertheless, the latter may provide the tools the Philippine Navy needs where several projects are on planning as well as on the materialization stage as part of the Strategic Sail Plan 2028 of the fleet. Such plans include the Corvette Project that is set for Horizon 2 covering this period of time as per posting up the period where it will end five years later (2018-2022).

Alongside the frigate, plans for procuring multipurpose patrol vessels or offshore patrol vessels also in a place where these patrol gunboats may take over the roles of the Rizal and Miguel Malvar-class corvettes which is on patrolling territorial waters from threats like piracy and terrorism. Apparently speaking for these patrol vessels, sources provide the details that around six units will be built for the second horizon instead of eight which is almost the same replacement ratio as the number of the Malvar-class corvettes in service. Things like these definitely turn out to be beneficial where it may improve the status of the fleet so as replacements are provided, retaining the fleet composition which can be classified as a Green-Water Navy.

SAIL PLAN 2028 - THE BRIGHT SIDE

The Second Horizon, despite the shortage of funds, is still beneficial for the Philippine Navy where, should things go smoothly, will definitely help the fleet improve its composition of ships where older, antique vessels may finally put to rest.

The only obstacle as far as things are concerned is the two combat frigates that are still under investigation to the anomaly with regards to the details of the deal. The rest so far, are deemed hopeful where things definitely good to see where the hope is there for the projects to be materialized. Albeit the plans, the setup of the Philippine Navy's Horizon 2 plans may definitely change later on which will depend on the availability of spares with factors including the nation's economic performance.

The uncertainty on the plan in which it is reliant on the volatile economic conditions, also dictates what will be the future of the Navy's fleet composition especially of the World War 2 vessels that are still in service. It was there that the conditions will determine the remaining lifespan of those obsolete ships where, its aging is taking its toll to the hull of these Rizal and Miguel Malvar-class vessels wherein any poor conditions about the structure or the lack of spare parts to keep it operational may render it to be decommissioned, with or without any replacement on sight. Such a case happened to the BRP Antonio Luna where its hull filled with holes definitely compromised its structure, prompting it to be decommissioned beyond economic repair. Also, the BRP Emilio Aguinaldo is plagued with such a problem which, like its sister ship the BRP Antonio Luna, is also forced to be decommissioned. Or, take for instance the BRP Iloilo, a Malvar-class corvette which was put out of service February 2017 with spare parts being seen as the reason for its remaining sister ship, the BRP Sultan Kudarat, to function accordingly. Apparently, there are no replacements for the decommissioned ship at present.

By measure, it may be ideal that stop-gap measures shall be given so that there will be replacements to the ships that went decommissioned. And speaking of stop-gap measures, it is usually done by purchasing second-hand assets that went out of service in its respective navy. With the Pohang-class being the only second-hand asset so far as things are concerned (and latest information aren't available as of the moment), it may be ascertained that the old, World War 2 ships shall stay at service a bit more where it is still needed to protect the waters at present.

It was there that the old ships will be relieved from service once newer assets such as the MPPVs will get into service. Just to take note folks, building new ships takes time where components will get installed in its place as well as to weld the steel for the hull's integrity and other areas of consideration as dictated by the specifications given in the contract. Hence, a little sacrifice is still needed with regards to the service lifespan of both the Miguel Malvar-class and Rizal-class corvettes where the hope is there that the ships will finally get the rest it deserves.

CONCLUSION

BRP Ramon Alcaraz alongside a Rizal-class Corvette.

With the given age of the existing portion of active ships in the Philippine Navy Inventory especially to the ones built more than half a century ago, the urge of replacing them is getting stronger as the fleet gets modernized with new hulls and better second-hand assets filling the capabilities needed by the organization.

And in that comes the hopes of what Horizon 2 has in store to the Philippine Navy. Albeit the small budget which results to the fewer projects that the organization prioritizes like new Strategic Sealift Vessels, Corvettes, MPPVs, and others, it may be seen as sufficient enough to replace old World War 2 vessels in a sense that a portion will decommission to keep the remaining ships in place in which the relieved ones will get cannibalized for spare parts needed to keep the others running. At present, we can still see those old ships at sea, doing its mandate to protect territorial waters against threats with their presence being essential enough in connection to the nation's sovereignty. There are still many things needed to be done, and for the fleet, just like the rest of the Armed Forces, the journey is still a long way to go to achieve the Minimum Credible Defense Posture that it wants to attain. 

The time will definitely come that the old ships will be put to rest, and it will surely be missed by those who once served on those ships which they treated as their second home. But the necessity to move forward is there, where various threats, both internal and external ones, keeps influence the role of the Armed Forces with the primary mandate to protect the nation's sovereignty and the safety of its citizens. Let us end this article with a quote, and this sheds light on reality in this world: "Nothing Lasts Forever".

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The SAAB Gripen and the Marketing Over Philippine MRF Program

The Philippines with its Air Force is recently having its squadron of FA-50PH LIFT jets procured. And it is a well-taken note that the Second Horizon which is next year is eyeing for Multirole fighters that among the possible jets procured, the JAS-39 Gripen is being talked among the defense community as the best possible MRF that may take out in the deal given the attributes which explain its idealistic preference seen as a multirole fighter that the organization seeks.

Pitz Defense Analysis Note: The Philippine Air Force and the Defense Department may change the outputs of the Multirole fighter jet program or may have a different set of results on the set that at present, this project is still on the "drawing board" stage with request still needs approval as per posting. Hence, this article reflects the defense community's viewpoints that give relevance which gives the SAAB Gripen being the best possible contender in the deal. This, in any connection, was not sponsored for and by the said Swedish Company.

OVERVIEW

Gripen E's First Flight. From SAAB website

Just recently, the Swedish weapons and arms company SAAB has its latest version of fighter jet which is the JAS-39 Gripen E tested on its first flight. This comes to the hopes that such a fighter jet as being marketed by SAAB shall be the affordable and effective Multirole fighter jet in the military weapons market. And with that apparently, several articles have even compared this jet with its successive first flight to the Lockheed-Martin F-35 jet where the same article describes it as a troubled project.

As per the Philippine military procurements meanwhile, it is taken note that the AFP Modernization Program calls for 48 units of fighter jets for the whole Modernization Phase wherein it gives the vision of the armed forces to have an effective Philippine Air Defense System (PADS) as the main feature of the Philippine Air Force Flight Plan 2028 which eventually lowered down to a squadron due to problems regarding funding with an option to go for second-hand platforms. At present, the Multirole fighter jet project is in the planning phase where it is now on its way for materialization for Horizon 2 (2018-2022). All of these remain to be seen where the budget allocation shows an obstacle to the project itself. See more: Horizon 2 and the Budget Obstacle.

With these things being stated out, the JAS-39 Gripen was known across the defense community where several members envision an air force with such jets in the inventory or rather, having a nice viewpoint that in such a project (if proceeds smoothly), obtaining a multirole fighter jet will be the best thing the Philippine Air Force will have in the future. In this topic, the discussion will be aiming at the statistics, technicalities, and specifications that have led to the making of this discussion which is lovelily discussed among those who love military and defense issues.

STATISTICS AS A COST-EFFECTIVE FIGHTER

Given the chart at face value, it gives the idea that the cost
gets minimized starting from the first Gripen Edition.
Source: http://www.gripenblogs.com/default.aspx?page=72

The JAS-39 Gripen is regarded as a cost-effective fighter jet, with SAAB marketing it as such. It is ideal for countries with a sufficient but not excessive defense budget, such as the Philippines.

Moreover, SAAB is being aggressive in its marketing efforts that will push its product among the nations and their governments which include the Philippines. This, just like any other company, goes with the hopes that they will gain several respective markets which in turn correlates to more sales for the units and gain more for after-sales and upgrades to the discretion of the end-user. 

At present, JAS-39 Gripen is operated by several nations which include Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom (through Empire Test Pilot's School), Thailand, and soon, Brazil which ordered a number of the latest Gripen E version which won their assessment with plans of local production together with Embraer S.A, which is the one who will supplement A-29 Super Tucanos to the Philippine Air Force. 

As specified in this article from a certain Brazilian Press, it was reported that their Government prefers this jet considering that it was the cheapest on the deal alongside the offers of the United States' Boeing F/A 18 and France's Dassault Rafale F3. Aside from that, the design phase of the New Generation (NG, or later classified as E/F version) and only having a single engine also influence the decision of the Brazilian decision-makers. The said deal with the Brazilians will be financially covered through a loan in which both sides agreed on a 25-year payment term for the said fighter jets.

The deal is enticing which the same thing may happen across the board as SAAB markets these jets across the nations which have the potential to procure fighter jets for its defense postures like in the case of the Philippines where the company opened its office in the country which signifies its push for their products to penetrate the market like the Philippine Air Force where its respective personnel or even the local aviators with flying experience sees it as a practical choice for the air force to have where it becomes a topic across local military and defense community. 

Nevertheless, it is still up with the main decision-makers whether these jets be purchased upon assessing it up to the standards which it holds such potential therein.

With the Philippines embarking on a project that will further improve its capabilities and SAAB's marketing of its product, it is nice to understand deeper with regards to the company and its product like the JAS-39 Gripen which pertains to its development and the rationale behind the success of the company and the fighter jet that it markets which just other aerospace companies, provides the capability a nation needs to defend its sovereignty against various threats, both internal and external.

THE DETAILS ABOUT THE COMPANY

SAAB is hoping to have a firm market in the Philippines
which may take place should the JAS-39 Gripen be chosen.
Source: Wikimedia Commons

The success of the company and its product points from the developments of the past. SAAB Group, first known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolag (Swedish Aeroplane Company, Ltd) was founded in 1937 in Sweden in the city of Trollhättan. In 1950, the company became what is SAAB is today through the merger of two aerospace companies in Sweden.

Being a defense-related industry, SAAB produces a lot of products from the span of its existence from half almost a century in which its products include sensors like the Sea Giraffe and Erieye radar systems, Naval Vessels through SAAB Kockums like the Visby-class Corvettes and A-26 submarines as well as military aircraft like the SAAB 340, Saab 35 Drakken, SAAB 37 Viggen, and the recently-produced JAS-39 Gripen.

Aircraft manufacturing began in the 1940s, during the Second World War. Sweden was neutral at the time, which explains why the planes SAAB developed at the time, such as the SAAB 17 and 18, although designed as war machines, didn't saw action. Nevertheless, in the span of the history of the company's existence, their know-how on military equipment increases as well as their reputation in which some projects and development on their products as well as their marketing put this Swedish defense-industrial complex on the map where several nations purchased several military weaponry from SAAB. 

SAAB's products form the portion of the military equipment of the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten) which are active in service as well as serving its role to defend this Scandinavian Nation from various threats that may come into its territory. That gives the firm stance that this nation uses its indigenous or locally-produced and enhanced military weaponry wherein it comes with conformity about the products being in-service in a host country as well as on several nations that were sold, like in the case of the JAS-39 Gripen having operated by around six to seven nations.

Being successful in leasing or procuring in those nations aforementioned, SAAB is aggressively pursuing to have more nations with respective fighter procurement programs chose their JAS-39 Gripen in the sense that, just like any other business, aims to have additional sales on their portfolio in terms of units sold as well as on the spares and after-support programs in which both of these things bring profit to the company. Add to that, having more units in the market means more sources for spare parts which are essential for every operator to have in terms of maintaining the planes or rather, keeping them operational. 

IN THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE'S MRF PROGRAM
See more: SAAB Advertorial - Gripen for the Philippines

A JAS-39 Gripen Fighter jet flying at sunrise.

The Philippines in the Second Horizon first wanted to pursue two squadrons of Multirole Fighters for its Air Force. With a restrained budget in its helm with the insufficient 150 billion peso allocation in place, it lowers the number of units planned for the Multirole fighter program from two squadrons or 24 units down to a squadron or 12 units. These pertain statistically for the option of purchasing brand new, with another option opting for second-hand ones, most probably outsourced from countries like the United States.

Even with the restrained budget, it still does not stop the Philippine Air Force in pursuing its aim to procure multirole fighter jets in which will drastically enhance the capabilities of the organization further as well as this will define the organization and its mandate of providing close air support for the ground troops, giving immediate transport in the air for deploying troops and goods especially in times of disaster and distress and most of all, defending the Philippine Airspace against various threats that pose danger to the citizens of the republic, especially if such threats come from the sky.

The determination is given by the air force still gives suppliers like SAAB a window to enhance the capabilities the Philippine Air Force needs wherein it needs to compete with the United States through General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin's F-16 fighter jet platforms. These platforms though are tough to consider considering that the F-16 has more users than JAS-39 Gripen presently have where the former obtains a lot of sources for spare parts which is a good necessity for the units to keep operating. Nevertheless, the latter still have a chance where some other nation may opt to buy these jets which increases the spare parts pool in the same way as the T/TA/FA-50s being marketed to other nations which in turn will indirectly benefit the Philippines in terms of after-support/maintenance of the jets to keep it operational. 

Aside from the Philippines, there are other potential buyers or say, another set of nations that may end up obtaining JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from SAAB as they market their fighter jet product to these countries. According to SAAB in its Annual Gripen Seminar 2017, as reported by Mönch Publishing Group, they market these nations which include Botswana, Croatia, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the Philippines for the C/D variant while  Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Finland, and Switzerland for the E version.

Despite SAAB's marketing efforts, the decision will ultimately be made by the Defense Department, particularly in the case of the Philippine Air Force, which has expressed a strong desire for multi-role fighter jets, even if only a single squadron for Horizon 2. Nevertheless, all hopes and dreams for the air force are there where multirole fighter jets will finally make the organization much more capable where they can effectively conduct their mandate which is to protect the skies like the Navy and Coast Guard protecting the coastline, the Army protecting the land and the Police protecting the welfare of the people.

SUMMARY, HOPES, AND THINGS THAT MAY LIE AHEAD

The Philippine Air Force's desire for MRF is split between
Lockheed Martin F-16 and JAS-39 Gripen.

SAAB is attempting to increase sales of their JAS-39 Gripen multirole fighter jets, which will assist a specific country's air force in improving its capabilities to protect its airspace and territory from various threats that may jeopardize the peaceful lives of its citizens.

With Multirole fighter jets being one of the priorities set by the Philippine Air Force, suppliers like SAAB and its American counterparts are willing to sell their wares wherein in both ways, will definitely enhance the capabilities needed by the Air Force as well as the aspirations of obtaining this weaponry to become true. This desirable outcome for SAAB may still depend on what the planners have to say where at present, the project still needs approval with regards to their request. Hence, the hopes and dreams about the project are still here where the Philippine Air Force is adamant to have this project despite the small project in a manner that several projects needed to cut or postpone to the Next Horizon. Just to take note, this will be the most ambitious project in the organization and by that manner, SAAB JAS-39 Gripen is apparently the favorite jet for PAF to have, although competition is still in place.

Once these items are in place, the FA-50PH Lead-in Fighter Trainer will complement a squadron which is also considered to be a light-fighter aircraft by some. Should this ambitious project push through, the time will finally come that the Philippine Air Force will obtain dedicated Multirole fighter jets designed to do its job of enhancing the mandate of PAF which is to protect the skies as well as to eliminate targets through precision bombing. With SAAB pushing doing the marketing, it may be their chance that they may be the ones who will supplant the project, should things be going in their favor.

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