16 September 2013

DND to Buy 3 Medium Transport Planes to Enhance Logistics

16 September 2013


3 medium transport aircraft to enhance the logistics capability of the military.(photo : Militaryphotos)

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to acquire three medium transport planes for P5.3 billion to enhance the logistics capability of the military.

The STAR learned that the bidding for the aircraft acquisition project would be held next month while the bid notice would be issued this week.

The planes that could airlift troops and supplies are expected to provide support for territorial defense and internal security operations.

The aircraft will also be used for disaster response and development efforts. The package will cover integrated logistics support for the aircraft.

“We are fast-tracking the projects that will upgrade the capabilities of the armed forces,” Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said.

To be qualified, a prospective bidder should have completed a similar aircraft project.

Interested parties may buy a complete set of bidding documents from the Bids and Awards Committee secretariat for P75,000.

The pre-bid conference, which will allow prospective bidders to clarify the requirements set by the government, has been slated for Sept. 23.

The deadline for the submission of bids will be on Oct. 7. The opening of bids will be held on the same day.

Defense officials and a military technical working group will review the bids from Oct. 7 to 14. The review will determine if the offers submitted complied with financial and technical requirements set by the government.

The company that offers the lowest bid will undergo a post-qualification phase, wherein security officials validate the documents submitted by the bidder. The post-qualification phase will be held from Oct. 15 to Nov. 14.

If the company that offered the lowest bid satisfies all the post-qualification requirements, it may be declared the winning bidder by November.

The government is planning to buy several air assets in the next few years to improve the capability of the Air Force.

Aside from the three medium transport aircraft, the air assets to be acquired include 21 UH-1 combat utility helicopters for P1.26 billion, 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets for P18.9 billion, and long-range patrol aircraft for P5.96 billion.

The government is also eyeing the acquisition of air surveillance radars worth P2.68 billion to enhance the country’s territorial defense capabilities.

Air Force data showed that a total of 95 air assets in the inventory are beyond repair, outnumbering those that are operational.

Out of the 265 air assets in the inventory, 95 can no longer be used, 71 are operational while the rest requires repairs.

(PhilStar)

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