ISAFP Project Lot 1 - Unmanned Aerial Systems Acquisition Project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

 The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) has embarked on the procurement of new systems that would enable them to conduct intelligence work, being the main intelligence arm of the AFP.

The ISAFP Project was raised as part of the 2nd List of Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Project, with a budget of Php1.2 billion covering 5 lots. 

This resource page covers Lot 1, which involves the acquisition of new Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

The IAI-Bluebird Aerosystems WanderB-VTOL UAV from Israel. Photo for representation only as there is no confirmation yet on which UAS was selected. Photo credits to IAI.

Project Summary:

Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Project Lot 1 - Unmanned Aerial Systems Acquisition Project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

Note: Edited as of 22 April 2023

* End User: Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)

* Quantity: TBD

* Modernization Phase: 2nd List of Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php240,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G), believed to be with Israeli Ministry of Defense

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund, to be paid via Multi-Year Obligation Authority (MYOA) process.

* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-0015964 dated 17 April 2023 worth Php238,827,920.00 (full amount)

* Winning Proponent: TBD, believed to be an Israeli company

* Contract Price: Php238,827,920.00

* Residual Price: Php1,172,080.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 22 April 2023 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag:  #AFPISAFPLot1UASAcquisition 

* Status: Involves procurement of Level 1 unmanned aerial systems. SARO released on 17 April 2023 for the full amount.

Overview:

As part of a broader acquisition project for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) has raised a requirement for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) which would enable it to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering flights over areas of interests.

So far we have not seen the requirements set by this project, although the budget of Php240,000,000.00 (around US$4.26 million) is expected to only be enough for either several dozen Level 1 or a few Level 2 UAS, each with around 2 or 3 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and control system.

Since the ISAFP is not a manpower-intensive service, it is expected that they may opt for UAS models that are sufficient enough to fly at ranges beyond 30 kilometers, and have an endurance of more than 2 hours. This means a Level 1 UAS, similar to the Elbit Systems Skylark 3 UAS acquired by the Philippine Army.

According to our parent page MaxDefense Philippines, its sources has confirmed that the DND was negotiating with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) back in 2022 regarding this project, which means that this is being acquired under a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with Israel involving IMOD, and will be from an Israeli company.

So far, Elbit Systems already have a strong foothold in the AFP, with the Philippine Air Force operating the Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 MALE UAS, and the Philippine Army operating the Hermes 90 THOR mini quadcopter UAS, the Skylark I-LEX mini UAS, the Skylark 3 UAS and the Hermes 450 MALE UAS.

The Elbit Systems Skylark I-LEX. Photo credits to Elbit Systems.

Other Israeli companies actively offering the UAS to the AFP are Aeronautics with their Orbiter series of UAS, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) including Bluebird Aerosystems which is partly owned by IAI.

The IAI-Bluebird Aerosystems WanderB-VTOL small UAS. Photo credits to IAI.

The SARO for the 100% contract price of the project was released by the Department of Budget and Management on 17 April 2023, and it is expected than a contract would be awarded to the selected proponent by mid-2023.

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First edit and release: 22 April 2023
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource