UH-1H Commercial Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force

To build up its dwindling fleet of UH-1H Huey combat utility helicopters, the Philippine Air Force has undertaken several UH-1H helicopter acquisition projects between 2003 and 2015.

This project is one of them, and is considered the first one that involves acquiring such helicopters from a civilian entity rather than as Excess Defense Article (EDA) from the United States.

This resource page discusses the acquisition of 20 UH-1H Huey helicopters under the UH-1H Commercial Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force, which was started back in 2003.

The project is considered to be the first for the Philippine Air Force under the old AFP Modernization Program under Republic Act 7898.

A UH-1H Huey helicopter of the Philippine Air Force.

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Project Summary:

UH-1H Commercial Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 15 April 2023.

* End User: Philippine Air Force (205th Tactical Helicopter Wing)

* Quantity: 20 units plus ILS package

* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)

* Project ABC: Php687,300,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

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

* Winning Proponent: Singapore Technologies Aerospace

* Product for Delivery: UH-1H Huey combat utility helicopter, airframe zero-timed and refurbished

* Contract Price: Php659,810,000.00

* Residual Price: Php27,490,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 15 April 2023 (this post)

* Status: Project Completed as of 26 May 2005.

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Overview:

The Philippine Air Force was in need of more combat utility helicopters as its Bell UH-1H Huey fleet that were acquired from the 1970s and 1980s are starting to reach the end of their service life and are in need of either retirement or major overhaul and rehabilitation works.

Due to lack of funding, the Department of National Defense has no choice but to only acquire refurbished helicopters instead of new ones, especially that the budget allocated worth Php687.3 million will only be enough to buy very few brand new helicopters.

A public bidding was held in 2003, with 4 bidders submitting their bids on 10 September 2003. After the bids were evaluated, the DND has announced that Singapore Technologies Aerospace has been declared the winning bidder.

A contract was signed between the DND and ST Aerospace on 30 January 2004, but the Department of Budget and Management has released the Notice of Cash Allocation on 01 July 2004, and the Letter of Credit was opened on 21 July 2004.

Delivery was made in 7 batches:

* 1st batch of 3 helicopters were delivered on 25 August 2004.

* The ILS package was delivered on 23 September 2004.

* 2nd batch of 3 helicopters were delivered on October 2004, and turned over to the Philippine Air Force by 24 October 2004.

* 3rd batch of 4 helicopters were turned over to the PAF on 01 December 2004.

* 4th batch of 2 helicopters were turned over to the PAF on 17 December 2004.

* 5th and 6th, adn 7th batches with a total of 8 helicopter were turned over to the PAF in 1st and 2nd quarters of 2005.

With these deliveries, the DND has considered the project to be completed as of 26 May 2005.

All 20 helicopters were upgraded variants compared to standard UH-1Huey helicopters, and are said to feature night vision-capable cockpit displays which enables the aircraft to be flown at night with the use of night vision goggles.

As of this writing in 2023, it appears that all the helicopters have been retired, an it remains to be seen if some of them were among those upgraded by the Philippine Air Force to Huey II or Super Huey standards. This can't be determined by us at the moment as we do not have the tail numbers of the 20 helicopters delivered as part of this project.


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N O T E S:
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Singapore Technologies Aerospace made this press release on 12 February 2004 about this project, with the text taken from the press release in full:

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SINGAPORE --- Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero), the aerospace arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engg), announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Philippines Air Force to supply 20 refurbished UH-1H helicopters with an integrated logistics package, worth US$12 million.

This agreement involves procurement and refurbishment within a year.

This agreement is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engg for the current financial year.

"We are pleased with the confidence the Philippines Air Force has in ST Aero's ability to provide cost-effective solutions for their needs" said TAY Kok Khiang, President, ST Aero.

ST Aero provides a full spectrum of maintenance and engineering services through its three business segments. Aircraft Maintenance & Modification (AMM), Component / Engine Repair & Overhaul (CERO), and Engineering & Materials Services (EMS). With international offices and facilities located in key aviation hubs in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, ST Aero has a staff strength of more than 5,000 certified engineers and administrative specialists.

ST Engg is an integrated engineering group providing solutions and services in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Headquartered in Singapore, the Group reported revenues of S$2.82 billion in FY2003. Its market capitalisation of about S$6 billion ranks it among the ten largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. ST Engg has 12,000 employees worldwide, and over 100 subsidiaries in 15 countries and 22 cities.

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First edit and release: 15 April 2023
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource