Rocket Launcher Light Phase 2 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army

 To further improve the firepower of infantry units while replacing ageing existing assets, the Philippine Army embarked on the acquisition of more rocket-propelled grenade launchers to follow on with the success of the initial batch acquired from Bulgaria starting 2016.

The Rocket Launcher Light Phase 2 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army was among those approved for implementation in 2013 as one of the nine original projects for the Philippine Army under the Horizon 1 Priority Projects of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP).

A Russian-made RPG-7V2 rocket propelled grenade launcher. Photo taken from the collection of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

Project Summary:

Rocket Launcher Light (Phase 2) Acquisition Project

Note: Edited as of 21 February 2020.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 744 units 40mm Rocket Launcher + associated accessories and ammunition

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php408,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government deal with the Russian government

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-18-0013668 dated 13 June 2018

* Winning Proponent: Rosoboronexport (Russia), but apparently it was instead awarded to a reseller.

* Product for Delivery:
  - 744 nos. RPG-7V 40mm Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers
  - Bipod Assembly, Iron Sights, and Optical Sights
  - unknown quantity of ammunition, including 40mm HE Fragmentation Anti-Personnel Grenade, HE Anti-Tank Grenade, and 40mm Thermobaric Grenade  - Assorted accessories, tools, and others.
  - Integrated Logistics Support package

* Contract Price: Php408,000,000.00

* Residual Amount: Php0.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 05 November 2016

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PARLLPhase2Acquisition

* Status: Sources confirmed first batch were delivered before July 2019. Another batch delivered on December 2019. It is unclear if these were accepted as there have been no photographic proof that the RPGs and other accessories were accepted and in service as of 2024. It is believed the project was cancelled. PROJECT CANCELLED.

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U P D A T E S:
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05 November 2016:

In a Facebook Note we posted, we included the Rocket Launcher Light Acquisition Project as among those included in the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP). This is actually the Phase 2 of the project, as the first phase was actually the one approved for acquisition under the last phase of the old RA 7898-based AFP Modernization Program between 2005-2010.

The note can be accessed on the link below:

"Monitoring of Philippine Army’s Horizon 1 Phase Projects" - first posted 05 November 2016

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14 June 2018:

As posted on MaxDefense's community social media page:

The Department of Budget & Management (DBM) approved yesterday 13 June 2018 a new SARO (SARO-BMB-D-18-0013668) worth Php408 million pesos for funding the Rocket Launcher Light Acquisition Project under the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

This project involves the acquisition of 744 units of shoulder-fired Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers from Russia's Rosoboronexport under a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal between the 2 countries. This is the same deal which was signed by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Rosoboronexport last October 2017, as reported by Russian news outlet TASS ( http://tass.com/defense/972228 ). 

This is also the first time that the Philippines will actually buy arms from Russia, since the AKM rifles and Ural trucks received last year were actually donated by the Russian Government.

This project is actually an extension of the Rocket Launcher Light acquisition project made under the old AFP Modernization Program RA7898 which led to the acquisition of around 250 units of ATGL RPGs from Arsenal JS Co. of Bulgaria through the US Foreign Military Sales program.

Despite the project only approved for fund release yesterday, this project is actually a Horizon 1 project (which can be confirmed in the SARO listing itself) which was approved for acquisition by the previous administration.

The updated SARO list can be downloaded in the link below:

https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/programs-projects/special-allotment-release-order-saro

A Russian soldier with an RPG-7V rocket propelled grenade launcher. Credits to original source of photo.

The line on the SARO list showing the SARO provided for the RLL Phase 2 Acquisition Project. Screenshot taken from DBM's SARO list for 2018.

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29 July 2018:

As posted on MaxDefense's social media page:

It now appears that the Php408 million deal to acquire 744 RPG-7V from Russia's Rosoboronexport may be affected by the US government's new policy of sanctioning countries that acquire arms from blacklisted Russian companies, which includes Rosoboronexport. This acquisition is part of the Philippine Army's Horizon 1 phase of the RAFPMP.

Surprising that this might be affected considering the deal was signed in October 2017 before the new policy was imposed by the US, and the contract price is very minimal at around US$8 million only, which isn't considered a major defense deal. 

Nonetheless, is it really worth the risk pushing through and facing economic sanctions from a major trading partner and ally? Also, considering that the deal is actually overpriced anyway according even to some senior DND officials whom we got our info from. They are again pointing at the same DND officials involved in the frigate deal with HHI as the one involved in this RPG-7B acquisition from Russia. Fishy if you ask me.

MaxDefense made a check with some RPG suppliers that we know, and here is a comparison: each RPG-7B from Rosobornexport costs around Php548,000, since the deal does not involve ammunition. At least 2 RPG suppliers confirmed to MaxDefense that they can sell one with similar or prpbably even better quality for more or less Php200,000 each. It means we can buy 2 RPGs and atill have change for every RPG-7B from Rosobornexport. What's the point of buying from Russia if its expensive anyway?

Here is the full script of the report from Reuters.

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Exclusive: Philippines could breach U.S. sanctions if Russia arms deal proceeds

Manuel Mogato  - Reuters

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is at risk of breaching sanctions imposed by the United States if it proceeds with the purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm, a deal that could test its longtime security alliance with Washington.

A senior Philippine general familiar with the deal said Manila had agreed in October last year to a 400 million peso ($7.48 million) purchase of 750 RPG-7B rocket propelled grenade launchers from Russia’s state-owned Rosoboronexport, but the transfer had yet to be completed.

U.S. sanctions were imposed last year against any country trading with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors.

The law is designed to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, its support for Syria’s government and alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Russia has donated assault rifles and trucks to the Philippines but the grenade launchers would be Manila’s first purchase of Russian weapons. The Philippines has long relied on the United States as its main source of military hardware and support.

If it goes ahead, the deal could add strain to a nearly 70-year-old security alliance that Washington has described as “ironclad”, despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s disdain for the relationship with the former colonial power.

Duterte wants closer ties with China and Russia and has ordered the army and police to engage with countries which do not impose conditions on weapons sales. Some U.S. legislators campaigned to block sales of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines in May 2017 because of human rights concerns over an anti-narcotics campaign that has killed thousands of Filipinos.

Duterte scrapped that deal, as well as the purchase of $233 million worth of Canadian helicopters, over concerns by the sellers about how they would be used.

A U.S. State Department official said foreign governments and private sector entities had been put on notice that “significant transactions with any of the 39 listed entities will result in sanctions”. Rosoboronexport was blacklisted in April.

American allies who buy weapons and equipment from Russia, the world’s second-largest arms exporter, would also be penalized and could see the transfer of those arms disrupted.

The State Department official declined to say what specific sanctions the U.S. could impose on the Philippines if it goes ahead with the deal with Rosoboronexport, while a spokesman for the Treasury Department said it “does not telegraph sanctions or comment on prospective actions.”

A senior Philippines defense official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media, told Reuters the United States has not officially notified Manila about the restrictions on Rosoboronexport.

“It’s still a go until we are informed,” he added.

The army general familiar with the deal declined to comment on possible sanctions.

Jose Antonio Custodio, a Philippine security expert, warned the Russian arms deal may affect Manila’s security relations with allies, not only with its former colonial master the United States, but also with Japan and Australia.

“If the Duterte administration keeps on elevating the military-to-military relationship with Russia, it may lead to push back from these allies given international sanctions on that country for bad behavior,” he said.

Editing by Martin Petty and Raju Gopalakrishnan

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-defence-usa-russia-exclus/exclusive-philippines-could-breach-u-s-sanctions-if-russia-arms-deal-proceeds-idUSKBN1K817L

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21 July 2018:

As posted on MaxDefense's community social media page:

Still regarding the acquisition of 744 units of RPG-7B rocket propelled grenade launchers by the Department of National Defense (DND) from Russia's Rosoboronexport to fulfil the Rocket Launcher Light acquisition project of the Philippine Army under the Horizon 1 phase of the RAFPMP.

Below photo taken from an DND RAFPMP Status Report used during a Senior Leaders Meeting last year shows that the RPG-7s acquired by DND from Bulgaria's Arsenal JS Co. numbered 250 launchers and 3,272 rounds of assorted HE and HEAT ammunition with a total worth of Php81,726,230.00. 

In simplistic calculation, for every 1 RPG launcher and 13 rounds of RPG ammunition, the DND paid Php326,905. These are the same RPGs used by the Philippine Army during the Marawi campaign.

For the ammo round price, we'll take this from PhilGEPS website which posted a bidding for RPG rounds acquisition for the Philippine Army. Based on the upcoming bidding for RPG ammo, the cost of High Explosive (HE) RPG round may cost around Php249,000,000 for 31,150 rounds, or an average of Php8,000 each. For for 13 units of HE rounds, it will cost around Php104,000.

If the cost of the Bulgarian deal averages at Php326,905 per launcher including 13 rounds, it means the launcher's average price is approximately Php222,905 each. This is within the quoted price provided by suppliers to MaxDefense earlier, which is between Php189,000 to Php240,000 each depending on the supplier. Not bad actually.

As I mentioned earlier, the Russian deal with DND is worth Php408,000,000 for 744 units, or an average of Php548,387 for each Russian RPG-7.

Do the calculations yourself people. Make your own assessment based on these amounts. Its quantifiable if you know simple math.

This is the report on the Phase 1 of the Rocket Launcher Light Acquisition Project. One can use this as basis on pricing of RPGs + Ammunition, compared to the Phase 2 which was awarded to the Russians. Photo taken from DND report exclusively provided to MaxDefense.

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14 July 2019:

MaxDefense received information last week on the impending arrival of RPG-7s from Russia within July 2019, despite Russia not receiving any form of payment yet from the Philippine government due to banking issues related to CAATSA.

It also appears that the Philippine and Russian sides will discuss further on how to settle the issue of payments, with among those mentioned to MaxDefense includes using Euros instead of US dollars for payment and involvement of a 3rd party European bank.

MaxDefense posted a blog entry on the topic, which can be found on the link provided below. 

"Russian-made RPG-7V2 rocket propelled grenade launchers for delivery to PA soon" - first posted 14 July 2019.

An RPG-7V2. Photo taken from the collection of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

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21 July 2019:

Apparently the "delivery coming soon" actually happened already recently. The shipment was said to have arrived in a port somewhere in Luzon which MaxDefense won't name, and were already transported to the Philippine Army's storage yards for inspection, audit and distribution to Philippine Army units.

Good news is that the Philippine Army units will now be getting their hands on RPGs to replace the 90mm recoilless rifles soon.

But here's the bad news:

MaxDefense received new information that still needs further verification that the RPGs delivered recently to the Philippine Army were not from Rosoboronexport as believed, and that the DND actually awarded the contract to a private company, to the dismay of Rosoboronexport.

It was also mentioned that Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana thought that this private company was part of Rosoboronexport, when in fact the company is not in any way connected to Rosoboronexport nor to the Russian government. And the worse part it, Sec. Lorenzana signed the contract believing it was for Rosoboronexport.

MaxDefense is still trying to get more information on what's happening, since it appears that there are many other issues surrounding this deal, and that Sec. Lorenzana was really so mad with what happened according to DND sources.

So who supplied the RPGs??? MaxDefense is still trying to get more information as we received more confirmation just before we posted this. Stay tuned.

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12 February 2020:

MaxDefense received confirmation from sources that another batch of RPGs from Russia arrived last December 2019. And apparently, the delivery was almost screwed up but just got lucky.

According to information we received, the customs agent assigned to process the delivery failed to secure the necessary paperworks to allow the RPGs and ammunition from being released and picked-up by the Philippine Army. Which means the RPGs and ammunition stayed in Customs' stockyard for several days.

This could have been dangerous considering the shipment could have been compromised. which may result to security issues. It could have also been unsafe since these are explosives that should have been stored in a safe, secured place.

It remains to be seen though if there are still shipments being expected from Russia, as we do not have the exact count of how many RPG launchers and ammunition arrived last December 2019.

Photo for reference only, not actual Russian RPGs.

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12 December 2023:

Its been more than 3 years now since the reported delivery of RPG-7 from Russia, yet there has no photographic evidence yet on their service with the Philippine Army, nor news from both mainstream media and AFP/Philippine Army official channels about these weapons.

It is now believed that the deal was cancelled in light of CAATSA, as there have been previous issues also regarding how the Philippines can pay for the project.

For the sake of having finality on this project, MaxDefense Philippines is labelling the Rocket Launcher Light Phase 2 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army as CANCELLED INDEFINITELY.

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First edit and release: 14 July 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource

Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel Combat Systems Alignment Phases 3A and 3B Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy has been in the process of updating and upgrading the Jacinto-class patrol vessels (British Royal Navy's Peacock-class patrol vessels) that it acquired from the Royal Navy's Hong Kong Squadron in 1997. The process has been painstakingly slow due lack of budget, and the Philippine Navy was forced to conduct the different phases of upgrade at a very long period of time.

The Jacinto-class patrol vessel BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36). Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons.

Project Summary:

Jacinto-class Phase 3A & 3B Combat Systems Alignment Project

Note: Edited as of 05 July 2019.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Offshore Combat Force)

* Quantity: Phase 3A: 2 ships (BRP Apolinario Mabini, BRP Artemio Ricarte)
                   Phase 3B: 1 ship (BRP Emilio Jacinto)

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Phase 3A: Php630,637,163.60
                         Phase 3B: Php224,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Phase 3A: Public Bidding
                                  Phase 3B: Negotiated Procurement (after failed bid attempts)

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* SARO Release: 
    - Phase 3A: SARO-BMB-D-16-0017282 dated 24 May 2016 worth Php445,717,924.00, rest TBA
    - Phase 3B: TBA

* Winning Proponent: 
   - Phase 3A: Ultra Electronics Ltd.
   - Phase 3B: Propmech Corp. - Saab AB JV

* Product/s for Delivery: 
   - Phase 3A: Ultra Electronics Combat Management System, X-band 2D surface search radar, Ultra Series 1700 EO/IR fire control system.
   - Phase 3B: Saab 9LV Combat Management System, GEM Elettronica 2D surface search radar, Saab EOS-500 EO/IR fire control system.

* Contract Price: Phase 3A: GBP7,455,163.00 (around Php498,001,906.33)
                             Phase 3B: Php224,000,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 15 January 2015

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PNJCPVPhase3A #PNJCPVPhase3B

* Status: Divided into two lots/phases (Phases 3A and 3B), with Phase 3A awarded to Ultra Electronics, and Phase 3B to Propmech Corp - Saab AB Joint Venture. Both lots/phases declared completed as of June 2019. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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Project Overview:

The last phase, called the Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3 Acquisition Project, calls for the improvement on the combat capabilities of the entire class. This project was included in the Horizon 1 phase Priority Projects of the Revised AFP Modernization Program between 2013 and 2018. This was despite calls for this upgrade phase to be made earlier.

The project's main thrusts were the following:

* Replacement of the existing Bridgemaster E Surface Search radar with a later model
* Replacement of the existing Radamec 1500 Electro-Optical Fire Control Systems (EOFCS) with a later model
* Replacement of Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), Electro Magnetic Log / Speed Log, Anemometer, Ring Laser Gyro
* Repair and restoration works of Oto Melara 76mm/62 caliber naval gun
* Refurbishing of 25mm MSI DS-25 naval gun system
* Integrated Logistics Support

The project was further divided into 2 lots due to the different sources of funding made available to the Philippine Navy. 

Phase 3A covers the work for 2 ships, except for the refurbishing of the 25mm MSI DS-25 naval gun system as the project covers work for the 3 ships. Meanwhile Phase 3B covers the work for 1 ship, without the need to cover the refurbishing work on the 25mm MSI DS-25 naval gun system.

Phase 3A was awarded to Ultra Electronics from the United Kingdom after a public bidding, and will cover BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) and BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36). 

Phase 3B was awarded to the Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation and SAAB AB from Sweden, with the work covering BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37), after failed bidding attempts allowed the DND to take a Negotiated Procurement with the said company.

For reasons unknown to MaxDefense, changes were made on the ship to be worked on, with Phase 3B work coverage shifted from BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) to BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35).


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U P D A T E S:
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15 January 2015:

As posted on MaxDefense's community social media page:

The Department of National Defense (DND) released the Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) Phase 3A Acquisition Project, which can be accessed on the links below:

ITB for JCPV Phase 3A

ITB for JCPV Phase 3B

Based on the requirements indicated in the ITBs above, all three of the Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class patrol corvettes will have their radars and electro-optical fire-control systems replaced soon.

The contract will also include the restoration and sustainment of their Oto Melara 76mm Compact and MSI Seahawk 25mm guns, and supply & delivery of ammunition.

Top: the Oto Melara 76mm/62 caliber naval gun.
Above: an MSI Defence 25mm DS-25 naval gun system.
Both guns would undergo repair or restoration works as part of the JCPV Phase 3 acquisition project. Credits to original sources of the photos.

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21 August 2015:

As posted on MaxDefense's community social media page:

None of the potential bidders for the Jacinto-class patrol vessel (JCPV) upgrade project phases 3A and 3B submitted a bid, with the project declared a failed bid. 

During the pre-bid phase, several of the bidders already indicated that the budget allocated for the project was not enough, which involves replacing the barrels of the Oto Melara 76mm Compact gun, the 25mmm Bushmaster guns, and upgrade of the Electro-Optical and Fire Control System sensors. 

With a failed bid, it would best for the Philippine Navy to reconsider increasing the budget and include other upgrades like installation of more firepower, and better combat suite, and possibly a ship-based drone system to increase its surveillance capability.

Business World posted a news report on the matter, which we will post in whole for safekeeping purposes should BW remove the article from its archives.

xxxxxxxxxx

Gov’t to continue upgrades of Navy ships despite bid failure
Posted on August 21, 2015

THE DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) is still planning to continue with the upgrades of three of its military vessels despite the failed bidding of the contract earlier this year.
During a meeting of the DND Bids and Awards Committee on Thursday, a technical working group from the Philippine Navy presented the intended upgrades for the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37).

Upgrades include the replacement of the barrels of the ships’ three 75-millimeter guns and two 25-millimeter guns. The ships’ radar, control and surveillance systems will also be modernized if the project pushes through.

Discussions on the project’s technical specification will continue before the committee will be able to rebid the contract again, DND Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Assistant Secretary Ernesto D. Boac told BusinessWorld.

Budget for the three vessels’ upgrade contract is currently set at around P854.6 million. The figure, which could still change depending on the discussions by the BAC and the Philippine Navy technical working group, will be sourced from the 2014 national budget and the funding for the military’s modernization program.

Last March, the bidding for the project was scrapped after the BAC declared a failure of bidding due to the non-submission of bids by the nine companies that bought bid documents for the project. -- Alden M. Monzon.

The 3 JCPV ships, likely taken after hand-over to the Philippine Navy from the Royal Navy in 1997. Photo taken from Business World.

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21 October 2015:

MaxDefense released a blog entry discussing the Jacinto-class patrol vessel Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3 project.

This includes discussions on the project's division into 2 different lots, who the potential proponents are based on the information provided by the DND through the project's Supplemental Bid Bulletins (SBB), and discussions on the scope of works under the project.

MaxDefense also tackled the issue of having different subsystems between the ships of the class due to the potential that two different proponents may win the Phase 3A and 3B of the project.

The blog entry, including all discussions in it can be accessed through the link provided below:


"Updates on the Sensors, Fire Control System, and Weapons Systems Upgrade of the Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class vessels" - first posted on 21 October 2019.

The Jacinto-class patrol vessels BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36, left) and BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35, right) are both covered under the Phase 3A of the JCPV Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3 project. Credits to original source of the photo.

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14 March 2016:

MaxDefense reports on its new blog entry that the Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation and SAAB AB of Sweden was awarded the JCPV Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3B Project.

In our blog entry, we discussed what the Promech-Saab JV might provide as part of the project, which we believe is mostly revolving around Saab's product offerings. 

The blog entry, including all discussions in it can be accessed through the link provided below:

"Propmech and SAAB wins Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel Upgrade Phase 3B Project" - first posted on 14 March 14 2016

Filipino marine company Propmech Corporation tied up with Sweden's Saab to deliver the JCPV Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3B Project.

The Notice of Award given to Propmech-Saab JV by the DND, and received by the joint venture on 29 December 2015. Photo taken from DND's BAC website.

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31 May 2016:

As posted in MaxDefense's community social media page:

MaxDefense received confirmation that the Notice of Award for the Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) Modernization Phase 3A will be given by the DND and Philippine Navy to Ultra Electronics very soon. 

Ultra Electronics will probably supply their own EO/FCS system. So far, MaxDefense confirmed that among their subcontractors are Kelvin Hughes, who will supply the Sharpeye X-band navigation/surface search radar.

Should the JCPV Phase 3A be awarded to Ultra Electronics, MaxDefense believes that the company will use its own EO/IR fire control system, (top), while it was already confirmed to MaxDefense that Kelvin Hughes' SharpEye was the radar offered by Ultra Electronics to the PN for the project. Credits to original sources of the photos.

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06 September 2016:

As posted in MaxDefense's community social media page:

Together with the signing of the Notice of Award for the Frigates, the Department of National Defense has also issued the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to Ultra Electronics Ltd. for the Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel (JCPV) Phase 3A Project last August 2016. 

Part of their job contract is the supply of new EO Fire Control Systems, new radar, and restoration of guns for two of the three JCPVs. The 3rd JCPV is covered under the Phase 3B awarded to Propmech-Saab Joint Venture.

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16 February 2018:

As posted in MaxDefense's community social media page:

MaxDefense received info from its sources from the Navy that the Jacinto-class patrol vessel (JCPV) Phases 3A and 3B Weapons Improvement project, which are undertaken by Ultra Electronics Ltd. and Propmech Corporation-Saab JV, respectively, are both delayed due to Leonardo-Oto Melara, their Italian OEM subcontractor for the 76mm Gun Repair work, has not started to work on the gun repairs at all. Oto Melara was said to have been a preferred subcontractor of the Philippine Navy.

Phase 3A covers BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37), while Phase 3B covers BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35). 

Phase 3B should have been done before December 2017, while Phase 3A should be complete in by 2nd Quarter 2018. This means all 3 ships are out of service until now.

Another issue also involves the repair of their 25mm MSI Defence Seahawk secondary guns, which MaxDefense is still trying to find out exactly what happened.

This is another issue Leonardo is facing with its commitments to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Earlier MaxDefense mentioned that Leonardo's helicopter division is also having after-sales service support and parts supply issues for the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy AW109E Power helicopters.

BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) which is covered by the JCPV Phase 3B Combat Systems Alignment Project. Credits to original source of the photo.

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13 April 2018:

The Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class patrol vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) has been busy this week as it is used to conduct the traditional welcoming of foreign warships entering Subic Bay.

This despite the Phase 3 of the JCPV Upgrade Works still ongoing. MaxDefense previously reported that both Phase 3A won by Ultra Electronics and Phase 3B won by Propmech-Saab JV, are not yet done due to Oto Melara not being able to replace the gun barrels and repair the JCPV's 76mm Oto Melara Compact naval gun due to Oto Melara not prioritizing the Philippines for its repair teams, while the PN again having problems on importing 25mm gun parts for the Seahawk RCWS due to problems involving the Philippine National Police that will give you the facepalm. 

Elbit previously had the same problems bringing in the 25mm cannons and 12.7mm machine guns for the RCWS-equipped M113s of the Philippine Army.

BRP Emilio Jacinto is being worked under Phase 3B. MaxDefense was informed that Saab has already installed a new navigation radar and the new Saab EOS-500 electro-optical tracking system, replacing the old system from Radamec. Oto Melara is a client-specified subcontractor but unless they finish their job to replace the gun barrels, both Phase 3A and 3B won't be considered complete even if Ultra and Propmech-Saab has done their works.

Anyway good luck to the crew of BRP Emilio Jacinto.

You can access the report from PTV News on the link HERE.

The BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) prior to the JCPV Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3B project. While her upgrade work is not yet completed, the delays on nominated sub-contract Oto Melara has stalled the project. Credits to original source of the photo.

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09 May 2019:

As posted in MaxDefense's community social media page:

Jane's reported that the upgeade program for the Philippine Navy's Jacinto-class patrol vessels are delayed after encountering trouble on different issues. 

While Jane's probably elaborated the issue in their paywall section, MaxDefense has been reporting about these since late 2017, considering the delivery of the ships was supposed to have started in November 2017 up to around May 2018.

Among the delays encountered were on the repair of the 76mm Oto Melara gun by OEM contractor Oto Melara, and on the shipping of parts of the M242 Bushmaster 25mm gun including issues on duties and taxes, and the repair of the MSI Defence Seahawk gun mount.

These delays affected the integration of the new EO/IR and fire control system, and the C2 system into the weapon systems.

Even then, MaxDefense believes that decisions by past PN leaders to separate the project into 2 sub-projects was already a failure on its own, as the entire class of just 3 ships will have different subsystems installed, making logistics more complicated.

This is further complicated with the needed lengthy machinery works for BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) under the also delayed JCPV MEU /Repowering Works Phase 2 project, which means she will remain in dry-dock longer than her 2 sisterships, and most likely be ready for service only by 2020.

This is one of the reasons why MaxDefense has kept repeating its call for the Philippine Navy to consider acquiring stop gap used warships, since it is obvious that they do not have enough assets to patrol Philippine waters and EEZ with 3 Jacinto-class and 1 Del Pilar-class patrol vessels down, and a fleet of World War 2 ships that are being retired without replacements, and delays on the transfer of Pohang-class corvette due to PH government's delay in releasing funds.

When new ships arrive, these stop gap ships are still force multipliers that increases the size of the PN to allow it to conduct not just patrols, but be ready for any eventuality while also have spares to join foreign deployments, exercises, or goodwill visits.

===============

19 May 2019:

MaxDefense released a blog entry on the expected re-entry to active duty of two Jacinto-class patrol vessels, the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) and BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36).

As of the blog entry's writing, both ships conducted their Harbour Acceptance Test (HAT) and Sea Acceptance Test (SAT), although only BRP Apolinario Mabini passed the test and is being prepared for official transfer to the Philippine Navy within the month.

Meanwhile there were some bugs reported on the combat systems of BRP Emilio Jacinto, and Propmech-Saab JV was given another month to correct the issues and re-do the tests. The ship is expected to be handed over to the Philippine Navy by June 2019.

The other ship of the class, BRP Artemio Ricarte, won't be available yet as it will undergo dock repairs under the JCPV Phase 2 project which MaxDefense will discuss in a separate resource page entry.

More on the blog entry by accessing the link found below:

"Upgraded Jacinto-class patrol vessels PS-35 and PS-36 to re-enter Philippine Navy service soon" - first posted 19 May 2019

Top photo shows BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) equipped with the Saab EOS-500 EO/IR fire control system, while bottom photo shows the Ultra Electronics Series 1700 EO/IR fire control system which is scheduled for installation on the BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37). Top photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense by a community member. Bottom photo taken from Ultra Electronic's product datasheet.

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17 June 2019:

During the Philippine Navy's 121st founding anniversary celebrations, the Philippine Navy deployed the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), which only confirms that they already accepted into service the said ship. It would be remembered that it encountered some bugs in its combat systems during its acceptance tests last May 2019, and a re-test for acceptance will be made by June 2019.

On the same event, BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) was also deployed, although we mentioned before that the ship passed the acceptance tests last month and will be accepted by the Philippine Navy before the end of May 2019.

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With the ships completing the upgrades and re-entering service with the Philippine Navy except for PS-37 for proceeding to other rehabilitation works, MaxDefense believes we can now consider the Jacinto-class Patrol Vessel Combat Systems Alignment Phase 3A and 3B Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy as COMPLETED.

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First edit and release: 05 July 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource