No time to be selling arms to the Philippines – The Hill Article

The Hill, a news website based in Washington D.C. in the United States (US) published an opinion article calling on the US Congress to block the possible sale of American made Attack Helicopters to the Philippines.

Assuming that the US State Department formally notified the US Congress of the possible sale early this month (May 2020), then the 30-day period which they could object to the sale to will end soon.

If they give no objections after that period ends, then the US Congress would’ve given the approval for the possible sale of the Attack Helicopters.

The other organizations that made similar calls to the US Congress included the Human Rights Watch (HRW), Foreign Policy in Focus (FPIF) and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines’ (ICHRP).

Also, as mentioned by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad just over a week ago, the US might embed into the aircraft they are selling certain restrictions as they see fit.

Unless the US gives us complete access to the Source Codes of these aircraft, then we must be wary of any restrictions they might be embedding into it.

SOURCE: No time to be selling Arms to the Philippines

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Attack Helicopter Budget should be used for Covid-19 instead - ICHRP

The Philippine Press picks up on the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines’ (ICHRP) opposition against the Attack Helicopters that the Philippines intends to buy.

The ICHRP, a possible Communist Front, had earlier been asking the United States (US) Congress to block the sale of the Attack Helicopters that American Companies are offering.

Now they are saying that the budget for the Attack Helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) should be used instead for the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Response Projects.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said that the Government will only stop buying equipment like these Attack Helicopters if the Communists give up their Armed Struggle.

SOURCE: Budget for Choppers should be transferred to COVID-19 response – ICHRP

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US based FPIF Group urges their Congress to block sale of American Attack Helicopters to the Philippines

A group which it says is composed of Scholars, Activists and Advocates called the “Foreign Policy in Focus (FPIF)” is urging the United States (US) Congress not to approve the sale of American Attack Helicopters to the Philippines.

The group also cited accusations against the Duterte Government by Philippine based Groups like the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) and the Gabriela Women’s Party.

This FPIF is either CLUELESS that these Leftists Organizations are legal Communist Fronts here in the Philippines, or they are a US based Leftist/Communist Front themselves.

SOURCE: Stop the $2 Billion Arms Sale to the Philippines

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The Cheapest Package Prices for the AH-1Z and AH-64E Attack Helicopters on DSCA

Regarding what Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during a recent Television (TV) program about the American Attack Helicopters being too expensive, as far as I know, the United States (US) like other Countries sell their Attack Helicopters as part of a package.

Now they must have a certain minimum package price per aircraft, but up to now I haven’t read anything from them yet on what really is their lowest or minimum package prices for their Attack Helicopters.

However, we may be able to get an idea on what it could be by looking at past offers they made to other countries in the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website.

So what I did was just compare each package for each Helicopter until I came up with the lowest package prices.

* For the AH-1Z Viper, the lowest package price was the one they gave to the Czech Republic in 2019 which was only Usd 51.24 million each. For our budget of Usd 254.9 million, we can buy at least 4 units, maybe 5 if they are willing to lower the price a bit more.

* For the AH-64E Apache, the lowest package price was at Usd 100 million each offered to Egypt in 2018. With our budget of Usd 254.9 million, we can buy only 2 units.

Based on these, it seems that the AH-64E is beyond our reach, unless the US sells them for a much, much cheaper price, or if we will be contented with just having 2 units.

The AH-1Z seems to be still within our reach, if the US is willing to offer us the price they offered to the Czech Republic, and if we will be satisfied with just 4 units. Also, if the US can offer the AH-1Z at a lower price than that so we can buy more, then so much the better.

However, as I have mentioned before, buying from the US comes with their own issues also, like their constant meddling with our Political Affairs, their tendency to use Spare Parts Supply as a Political Pawn, etc.

SOURCES:
* Czech Republic – AH-1Z Attack Helicopters
* Egypt – AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters and Related Equipment and Support

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Defense Sec. Lorezana on the American Attack Helicopters – May 13, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana answered a question about the American made Attack Helicopters that was given to him during a recent Television (TV) program.

Remember that the United States (US) released details of their offer for the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache Helicopters to the Philippines recently.

Here are some of the highlights of what he said during the program:

* The study and selection of the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) Attack Helicopter program started in 2016 where a number of candidates were considered.

* The United States (US) took almost two years to respond to the PAF's request for details on their Attack Helicopters.

* Lorenzana confirms budget of only Php 13 billion (Usd 254.9 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51)

* US Attack Helicopters too expensive, only 1-2 could be bought. Attack Helicopters from other Countries are being considered.

* The Government will stop buying Attack Helicopters if the Communists will stop their armed struggle.

SOURCE: Philippines says US Attack Helicopters too expensive, seeks other Supplier

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U.S. Congressional Approval for the AH-1Z or AH-64E Potential Sale to occur possibly by May 30, 2020

The United States (US) State Department had already approved the potential sale of the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters to the Philippines, but these still need the approval of their Congress.

The US’ procedure for all Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Countries for Major Defense Equipment (MDE) worth more than Usd 14 million is to give their Congress a Formal Notification Period of 30 days.

I am not exactly sure when the US State Department first gave their Congress the notification for the AH-1Z and AH-64E potential sales, but assuming it was April 30, 2020 then the notification period will lapse in May 30, 2020. If the US Congress doesn’t object to the potential sales by that date then they will be considered as approved by them.

SOURCE: FMS - What Happens First

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More on the Attack Helicopters for the Philippines from Sec. Lorenzana as told to the PNA

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on the Attack Helicopters for the Philippines as told to the Philippine News Agency (PNA):

- On the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache offers from the United States (US): "We will study the US offer. Baka used na naman mga ito (Maybe these are used ones again)".

- On the T129 ATAK Helicopters from Turkey: "Yes, the PAF is intent in (acquiring) it"

SOURCE: DND studying US Attack Helicopter offers

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Philippine Attack Helicopter Program Bits and Pieces – May 5, 2020

When it rains, it pours. After the United States’ (US) Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) published the offers for the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters, news about them have regularly come up a lot. Here are additional details of the program:

* The Pro-US Inquirer got a response from the Senior Manager for Global Sales of Bell Corporation who is touting their Viper’s Marine Capability, allowing them to be used from our Naval Ships with Helicopter Facilities.

* The article reiterated the fact that the offers published in the DSCA are not final and could be adjusted depending on the Philippines’ requirements. But of course we have to remember also that the cheaper the package, the less Weapons, Spares, Training, etc. will be available for the aircraft.

* Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) reportedly offered 6 T129 ATAK Helicopters for Php 13 billion, or Usd 255 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51. That is equal to only around Usd 43 million per aircraft.

* Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) budget for the Attack Helicopters, they could buy only 2. He did not specifically mention which helicopter he was referring to, but it could be the Viper since that is the main topic of the article.

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My guess based on these is that the DND and PAF seems to be willing to wait things out until TAI irons out the supply problems of the T129 and is able to finally sign the Contract with them.

Previous reports months ago is that TAI is planning to use their indigenously developed TS1400 engine which is set to be ready by the end of this year.

Another option for TAI is the use of the French made Arrano 1A Engines, but so far I could not find a timeline for the integration of those in the internet.

Frankly, seeing how the US is squeezing and making things very hard for Turkey is a clear illustration of how the Americans are willing to use their Military equipment as a Pawn for Political purposes.

Aircraft like these Attack Helicopters need a regular supply of Spare Parts and Weapons, and the US could easily just turn off access to them whenever it suits them politically. They’ve done this many times in the past, and will continue to do so.

SOURCES:
* US Chopper Maker offers Vipers to PH Air Force
* TUSAS'dan Atak Ustune Atak
* Update (2019): Pakisan's T129 ATAK Attack Helicopter Purchase

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“American Attack Helicopters too expensive” – Defense Sec. Lorenzana to BernarNews

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told BernarNews in an exclusive that the American AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache Helicopters were considered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), but found them to be too expensive.

Quoting Lorenzana’s Text Message, “It was being considered by the PAF [Philippine Air Force] but it is so expensive they opted instead to consider other attack helicopters”.

As I previously posted, the budget discussed publicly for the Philippines’ Attack Helicopter Program back in 2018 was set at only Php 13.8 billion or Usd 270 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51.

The American’s offer for half a dozen helicopters with Weapons, Spares, etc. was Usd 450 million for the Viper and Usd 1.5 billion for the Apache as revealed by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Website recently.

SOURCES: US moving to sell 6 Attack Helicopters to Philippines

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Attack Helicopter Budget of Usd 270 million for the AFP

Flashback to January 2018 when a Philippine Lawmaker mentioned that the budget for the Attack Helicopters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was at only Php 13.8 billion or around Usd 270 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51.

If this is still the budget up now, then at the price of Usd 75 million each quoted by the United States (US) State Department recently for the AH-1Z Viper Helicopter, we can buy only around 3 units.

Or, this is just the equivalent of 1 AH-64E Apache Helicopter which the US State Department priced at around Usd 250 million. There might be some leeway here and there if less Equipment, Spares and Weapons and used for either the Viper or the Apache, but the numbers won’t increase much.

At any rate, let’s see how this will pan out, also the proposed sale of the Viper or Apache will still need to be approved by the US Congress

SOURCE: Solon says P25-B AFP upgrades a message to Terrorists: ‘We’re capable of defeating You’

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