PH rebids anti-submarine choppers

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of National Defense (DND) is scheduled to rebid two anti-submarine helicopters for the Philippine Navy on October 21, according to a bulletin of the DND Bids and Awards Committee Bulletin (BAC). 

The DND allocated a budget of P5,405,000,000 (US$120.6 million*) for the project to include munitions, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistics support. The first bidding in June was declared a failure, a constant problem haunting big-ticket military modernization projects.

The acquisition of the ship-based helicopters is part of the country’s goal to achieve minimum deterrence capability in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) at a time when China is feverishly expanding its submarine fleet, which can move underwater undetected. (Read: ‘If China can break off Vietnam, they’ve won South China Sea’)

Neighboring countries are also acquiring submarines. Vietnam, the western edge of the South China Sea, has purchased 6 Kilo-class submarines from Russia.

The bidding for the anti-submarine helicopters will be a two-stage open competitive bidding using pass-or-fail criteria. A pre-bid conference will be held on October 7, according to the BAC bulletin signed by Defense Undersecretary Natalio Ecarma III.

Bidders must offer anti-submarine helicopters being used by the Armed Forces of the country of the supplier or by at least two other countries. 

The bidder must also be from suppliers who are themselves the manufacturers.

The funding for the project will be drawn from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund and the Revised Modernization Program of 2012. – Rappler.com

*$1 = P44.8