ORD PABAC2-015-24 Shotgun, 12 Gauge Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army

A requirement for new 12-Gauge Shotguns was raised by the Philippine Army to meet its requirement to arm special operations units for close quarter battle (CQB) operations.

This resource page discusses the Shotgun, 12 Gauge Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

A US Marine firing a Mossberg 590A1 12-gauge shotgun during a training exercise. Photo credits to US Marine Corps.

Project Summary:

ORD PABAC2-015-24 Shotgun, 12 Gauge Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army:

Note: Edited as of 02 February 2024.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 249 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Army

* Project ABC: Php16,732,999.20

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Army

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: Armscor Shooting Center, Tarlac Branch

* Product for Delivery: Presumed to be Armscor/Rock Island Arsenal PF14 shotgun

* Contract Price: Php11,077,512.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php5,655,478.20

* First post by MaxDefense: 27 October 2023 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAShotgun12GaugeAcquisition

* Status: Requirement for 249 new 12-gauge Shotguns, to be delivered within 210 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 06October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 26 October 2023, moved to 07 November 2023. Notice of Award released in favour of Armscor Shooting Center Tarlac Branch, part of Armscor Global Defense on 16 January 2024.

Overview:

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for 249 new manual pump-action 12-gauge Shotguns that are needed for either short-range close quarter battle (CQB) which this type of weapon excels, or anti-riot requirements where it can fire non-fatal rounds.

No specifics have been made on which unit will be using these shotguns, but they are expected to be for units from the PA Special Operations Command.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in a single batch within 210 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the combat reflex sights will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Specs screen grabbed from Bid Documents.

It would be noticed that the specifications used for this project is quite new (only released in 2022) as it is very rare for the Philippine Army to acquire shotguns for their use.

Among the important details in the technical specifications are the for the shotgun to have a minimum 5-round capacity, folding or modular buttstock which can replace the standard fixed buttstock found on most shotguns, and its overall length of maximum of 33 inches (838mm) and maximum weight of less than 4.0kg.

An example of a folding buttstock. Photo credits to Pew Pew Tactical.

Also, the budget allocated (Php67,200 per piece) is normally the price of a high-quality shotgun coming from reputable companies. 

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02 February 2024:

Updates on the Shotgun, 12 Gauge Acquisition Project has been posted on PhilGEPS website, indicating that Armscor Shooting Center Tarlac Branch, which is part of the Armscor Global Defense, has won the project and received the Notice of Award as of 16 January 2024.

Based on the specifications especially on the barrel and overall length requirements, it appears that Armscor might have offered their PF14 shotgun.

It remains to be seen though if this analysis is correct since this is the only model within Armscor's product offering that meets the very short barrel and overall length requirements.

No contract has been signed as of this writing though, and it might take a few more weeks before this may happen.


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First edit and release: 27 October 2023
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource.

PB-PAFBAC-092-24 Carbine, 5.56mm M4 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force

A requirement for new 5.56mm assault rifles was raised by the Philippine Air Force to meet the requirements of the 710th Special Operations Wing.

This resource page discusses the Carbine, 5.56mm M4 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

An M4-type rifle used by the US Marine Corps for reference only. Photo credits to Army Times.

Project Summary:

PB-PAFBAC-092-24 Carbine, 5.56mm M4 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force:

Note: Edited as of 02 February 2024.

* End User: Philippine Air Force (710th Special Operations Wing)

* Quantity: 3,500 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Air Force

* Project ABC: Php187,950.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Air Force

* SARO Release: Not applicable

* Winning Proponent: Dasan Machineries Co. Ltd.

* Product for Delivery: Dasan DSAR15 5.56mm assault rifle

* Contract Price: Php153,093,780.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php34,856,220.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 21 October 2023 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAFCarbine556mm2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 3,500 new 5.56mm M4-type carbines, to be delivered within 120 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 19 October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 07 November 2023, moved to 01 December 2023. Notice of Award was made in favour of Dasan Machineries Co. Ltd. released on 05 January 2024.

The SIG Sauer SIGM400 Pro in 14.5" barrel without suppressor. Photo credits to SIG Sauer USA's website.

Overview:

The Philippine Air Force has raised a requirement for 3,500 new 5.56mm M4 type carbines, which we believed would be allocated to the different units of the service, but with higher emphasis to the 710th Special Operations Wing. 

According to the tender documents, the delivery is required within 120 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the rifles will all be delivered by 2nd quarter of 2024. Compared to the Philippine Army requirements for similar rifles, the PAF has a quicker delivery requirement which could be a reason for manufacturers/suppliers to back-out of the project.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Technical Specifications as per Tender Bid Documents, taken from PAF Bid Documents.

The rifle required should have Direct Gas Impingement System (DGIS) and a barrel length similar to the M4A1, which is around 14.5". It also requires a quad rail interface system, retractable butt stock assembly, an ambidextrous selector lever and magazine release button, and dimensions with a maximum length of 900 milometers with buttstock fully retracted, and an overall weight without magazine of 3.6 kilograms. 

Performance characteristics include a cyclic rate of fire between 650 to 970 rounds per minute.

The requirements aside for some small differences like inclusions and packing are quite similar to the tender for Carbine, 5.56mm AR15-type Carbine for the Philippine Army, which is happening concurrently with this tender.

This means we could expect the same tenderers for this project as well as the one for the Philippine Army. 

Recent procurements of AR-15 type rifles were with DGIS systems, of which SIG Sauer's SIG M400 Pro and Taurus Armas' T4 rifles have been delivered to the Philippine Army to replace the M16A1 rifle, and the same line of thought could have been made for this requirement for the Philippine Air Force.

The SIG M400 SBR, although the Philippine Army ordered the one with longer 14.5" barrel. Photo credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

The Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifle, which is based on the AR-15 design. Photo taken from Pinterest.

In previous tenders for the Philippine Army, among those that participated in the tender or at least made its interest know are SIG Sauer (represented by Intrade Asia Pacific), Brazil's Taurus Armas (represented by Trust Trade), Israel's Emtan (represented by Armscor Global Defense), South Korea's Dasan (represented by United Defense Manufacturing Corp.), and Daniel Defense (represented by Nashe Enterprises) have participated and submitted in other similar tenders for the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, and they are expected to participate again in this tender.

 The Dasan DSAR15 rifle was previously submitted in a similar tender for the Philippine Marine Corps by South Korea's Dasan Machineries' local representative UDMC. Photo credits to Dasan.

Similar to our analysis on the Philippine Army's tender, expect issues on Emtan Karmiel especially with the war between Israel and Hamas might prevent the company from delivering rifles at a very short notice.

There is also a very interesting component on the tender, wherein the PAF has included additional items for delivery should a pre-delivery inspection overseas by at least 5 PAF personnel cannot be made due to reasons (ie. COVID, etc). This includes:

* 200 units of Red Dot Reflex Sights (with an expected value of Php1,400,000.00),

* 2 units Base Radio Dual Band (with an expected value of Php32,000.00),

* 10 units Military-grade Weather Proof Two-Way Radios (with an expected value of Php60,000.00),
* 4 units of Electronic Shot Timer with Sensor Buzzer (with an expected value of Php64,000.00).

Also, should the PAF supply the ammunition for the performance testing requirements, the winning supplier is also asked to offset with the following:

* 650 units of Red Dot Reflex Sights,
* 10 units of Military Grade Long-Range Two-Way Radios,

* 2 sets of Dual Band Base Radios.

The PAF appears to understand that the short delivery lead time they required may pose an issue especially for preparing for sending PAF personnel overseas to personally witness the pre-acceptance and pre-delivery inspections, which may include the performance tests.

It is possible that the PAF may allow the performance tests to be done in the Philippines with PAF supervision and using PAF ammunition, as long as the supplier will offset the ammunition cost with the items mentioned above.

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02 February 2024:

The PhilGEPS government procurement website has posted that the PAF has released the Notice of Award last 05 January 202 in favour of South Korean company Dasan Macinery Co. Ltd.

Dasan is locally represented in the Philippines by United Defense Manufacturing Corp. and is believed to have offered the DSAR15 5.56mm carbine.

So far no Contract and Notice to Proceed has been released.

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First edit and release: 21 October 2023
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource.

ORD PABAC2-006-24 Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army

A requirement for new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights for assault rifles was raised by the Philippine Army to meet its current, and potentially near-future requirements to equip new assault rifles being acquired simultaneously.

This resource page discusses the Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

An Aimpoint CompM4 red dot sight on an AR15 rifle. Photo credits to The Shooter's Log.

Project Summary:

ORD PABAC2-006-24 Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army:

Note: Edited as of 08 October 2024.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 5,050 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Army

* Project ABC: Php249,975.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Army

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation (Philippines) and Smart Shooter Ltd (Israel)

* Product for Delivery: TBC

* Contract Price: Php180,069,999.79

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php69,905,000.21

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

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PACombatReflexSight2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 5,050 new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights for assault rifles, to be delivered in 1 batch within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 10 October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 24 October 2023, which pushed through. Awarded to AholdtechPH Corporation, and is expected to supply red dot sighrs from Smart Shooter. Contract signed 05 June 2024, Notice to Proceed released on 23 July 2024.

An Aimpoint CompM5b red dot sight. Photo credits to Aimpoint.

Overview:

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for 5,050 new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights that will be mounted on assault rifles. Based on the quantity involved, we believe that these rifle red dot sights would be installed on the rifles being acquired in the same timeframe. We also expect that both items. together with the acquisition of almost the same number of 9mm pistols, are meant for the same combat unit, possibly the planned two new Brigade Combat Teams that are to be brought up in 2024-2025.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in a single batch within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the combat reflex sights will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Screengrabbed from Bid Documents.

Among the important details in the technical specifications are the housing material (aluminium alloy), housing construction (fully sealed and watertight), magnification (1x) and red dot size (2 MOA). Usually military-spec red dot sights have these features as they are expected to be used in heavy-duty and rough conditions compared to civilian-spec models.

Also, the budget allocated (Php49,500 per piece) is as expensive as an assault rifle itself, so we expect the products to be offered are military-type models from well known suppliers.

If SIG Sauer enters the assault rifle tender, it is expected that they might also enter in the combat reflex sight tender. Photo credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

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16 December 2023:

The PhilGEPS procurement website has posted that the tender has been closed and post-submission process is ongoing.

This is good news considering the other project where these red-dot sights would be installed, the 5.56mm Carbine Acquisition Project, appears to be pushing ahead and did not fail during the tender submission.

We'll see in a few months if this project will proceed to awarding or failure.

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06 July 2024:

The Philippine Army has released the Notice of Award for the project in favor of the Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation and Smart Shooter Ltd.

Based on the BAC Resolution No. PABAC2-015-LCRB-2024 dated 29 May 2024, they found the JV as the Lowest Calculated Bidder, and has completed and passed the Post Qualification Inspection held on 08 May 2024.

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23 July 2024:

The Contract for the project was released in favor of the Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation and Smart Shooter Ltd on 05 June 2024, with the Notice to Proceed released on 23 July 2024.

The NTP as released by the Philippine Army. Photo credits to PhilGEPS.

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

ORD PABAC2-005-24 Carbine, 5.56mm Assault Rifle 15 Platform Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army

 A requirement for new 5.56mm assault rifles was raised by the Philippine Army to meet its current, and potentially near-future requirements to equip recently recruited and future military personnel.

This resource page discusses the Carbine, 5.56mm (Assault Rifle 15 Platform) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

Soldiers firing with AR-15 rifles. Photo credits to Wikipedia.

Project Summary:

ORD PABAC2-005-24 Carbine, 5.56mm (Assault Rifle 15 Platform) Acquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army:

Note: Edited as of 16 December 2023.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 5,100 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Army

* Project ABC: Php249,900.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Army

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBC

* Contract Price: TBC

* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC

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

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PACarbine556mm2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 5,100 new 5.56mm AR-15-type assault rifles, to be delivered in 1 batch within 210 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 10 October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 24 October 2023, which pushed through.

The SIG Sauer SIGM400 Pro in 14.5" barrel without suppressor. Photo credits to SIG Sauer USA's website.

Overview:

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for 5,100 new 5.56mm AR-15 type assault rifles to be distributed to officers and men. We believe that either they are to be allocated to a new unit, possibly a new Brigade Combat Team based on the number of firearms, or to fill up new battalions.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in a single batch within 210 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the rifles will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Screengrabbed from Bid Documents of the project.

Usually the Philippine Army have the same specifications for most of the requirements but the main difference could be on the operating system. In this project, the requirement is for a Direct Gas Impingement System (DGIS).

In comparison, the Philippine Army's Remington R4A3 rifles are using Gas Piston Driven systems.

This is not the first time the Philippine Army specified for a DGIS operating system for AR-15 type rifles. 

Recent procurements of AR-15 type rifles were with DGIS systems, of which SIG Sauer's SIG M400 Pro and Taurus Armas' T4 rifles have been delivered to the Philippine Army to replace the M16A1 rifle.

The SIG M400 SBR, although the Philippine Army ordered the one with longer 14.5" barrel. Photo credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

The Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifle, which is based on the AR-15 design. Photo taken from Pinterest.

In previous tenders, SIG Sauer (represented by Intrade Asia Pacific), Brazil's Taurus Armas (represented by Trust Trade), Israel's Emtan (represented by Armscor Global Defense), South Korea's Dasan (represented by United Defense Manufacturing Corp.), and Daniel Defense (represented by Nashe Enterprises) have participated and submitted in other similar tenders for the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, and they are expected to participate again in this tender.

The Emtan MZ-4 5.56x45mm assault rifle, which is their version of the AR-15. The Philippine Army is interested in the 14.5" barrel option. Photo taken from Emtan Karmiel's website.

 The Dasan DSAR15 rifle was previously submitted in a similar tender for the Philippine Marine Corps by South Korea's Dasan Machineries' local representative UDMC. Photo credits to Dasan.

But we expect issues on Emtan Karmiel, as previously it was disqualified for failing to meet Net Financing Contracting Capacity (NFCC) requirements in a previous tender. But its biggest obstacle at the moment is the war between Israel and Hamas as Israeli arms manufacturers might be pushed to divert its productions for requirements of the Israel Defense Force (IDF), resulting in inability to deliver the rifles within the specified timeframe.

Since the Philippine Army is already using the SIG Sauer M400 Pro and Taurus T4 rifles, there is a bigger chance that the Philippine Army may lean more to these 2 rifles to minimize the introduction of too many rifles models in its arsenal.

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16 December 2023:

The PhilGEPS procurement website has posted that the tender has been closed and post-submission process is ongoing.

This is good news considering the other project to procure an almost the same amount of 9mm Pistols that was tendered at the same time as this project was cancelled.

We'll see in a few months if this project will proceed to awarding or failure.

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

ORD PABAC2-007-24 Pistol 9mm Acquisition of the Philippine Army

 A requirement for new 9mm pistols was raised by the Philippine Army to meet its current, and potentially near-future requirements to equip recently recruited and future military personnel.

This resource page discusses the Pistol, 9mm Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

The Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol. Photo credits to Guns and Ammo Magazine.

Project Summary:

ORD PABAC2-007-24 Pistol, 9mmAcquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army:

Note: Edited as of 15 October 2023.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 5,102 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Army

* Project ABC: Php249,998.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Army

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBC

* Contract Price: TBC

* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC

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

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAPistol9mm2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 5,102 new 9mm Pistols, to be delivered in 1 batch within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 10 October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 24 October 2023. PROJECT CANCELLED as of15 November 2023 for still unknown reasons.


Overview:

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for 5,102 new 9mm pistols to be distributed to officers and men. We believe that these are to be allocated to a new unit, possibly the two new Brigade Combat Teams planned for establishment in 2024-2025 based on the number of firearms being acquired.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in a single batch within 90 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the pistols will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Screenshot from Philippine Army Bid Documents.

Note that the specifications are slightly different from the one used by the General Headquarters Armed Forces of the Philippines for their separate 9mm Striker Fired Pistol Acquisition Project, and the budget allocated is Php500 less for each pistol.

Both AFP and PA requirements are looking for a 9mm pistol but the AFP pistol requires an aluminium or carbon steel lower receiver which is disadvantageous for Glock which uses polymer frames.

The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra 45-cal pistol (top) and the Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol (above), both with the AFP logo to show ownership by the AFP over these pistols. Photo credits to PTV4 News and AFP Reserve Command.

The participation of Glock in 9mm pistol competitions within the AFP is important since their Glock 17 Gen 4 is currently the standard and most widely-used 9mm pistol in the entire AFP including the Philippine Army.

The current specs of the Philippine Army's 9mm Pistol competition allows for a polymer lower receiver thus Glock is still expected to participate and has a strong chance of winning the competition.

Back in the 2017 tender for the AFP's Pistol 9mm Striker Fired Acquisition Project Trust Trade was the partner of Glock Asia Pacific and competed against CZ USA, Intrade Asia Pacific (local supplier of SIG Sauer), Precision Munitions (local supplier, unknown offer). There is a possibility that the same would happen, and probably other suppliers might also submit their bids and take interest in the project.

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16 December 2023:

The PhilGEPS procurement website has posted that the ORD PABAC2-007-24 Pistol 9mm Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army has been CANCELLED for still unknown reasons.

It has not posted any new tender documents or Supplemental Bid Bulletins to explain what happened.

We'll be keeping an eye on this project, or if it would be resurfaced by early 2024 either using the same tender project number or a different one.

Surprisingly, other projects that were pursued together with this one, including the 5.56mm Assault Rifles and Red Dot Sights, proceeded as scheduled.

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

Pistol, 9mm Striker Fired Acquisition Project (2023) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

A requirement for new 9mm striker fired pistols was raised by the General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines to meet its current, and potentially near-future requirements to equip recently recruited and future military personnel.

This resource page discusses the Pistol, 9mm Striker Fired Acquisition Project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically the project raised in 2023 to differentiate from an earlier project of the same name raised in 2017.

The SIG Sauer P320 (top) and the Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol (above). Photo credits to Wikipedia and Guns and Ammo Magazine.

Project Summary:

Pistol, 9mm Striker Fired Acquisition Project (2023) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines:

Note: Edited as of 30 December 2023.

* End User: Armed Forces of the Philippines (including all 3 major armed service branches)

* Quantity: 36,000 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2023 Funding for GHQ AFP

* Project ABC: Php1,782,000.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2023 Funds for the General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBC

* Contract Price: TBC

* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC

* First post by MaxDefense: 14 October 2023 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PFPPistol9mmStrikerFired2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 36,000 new 9mm Striker Fired Pistols, to be delivered in 2 batches of 18,000 units. Bidding was raised on 30 September 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 24 October 2023 and moved several times until final SOBE scheduled on 19 December 2023. Bidding declared failure as of 28 December 2023, awaiting for further news.

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Overview:

As the number of military officers and personnel continue to increase within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the General Headquarters AFP has raised a requirement for 36,000 new 9mm pistols to be distributed to officers and men from GHQ Armed Forces of the Philippines including services units, as well as the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy (including Philippine Marine Corps) and Philippine Air Force.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in two batches of 18,000 units, with the first batch within 90 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP), and the 2nd batch within 180 days from release of NTP. If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the pistols will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Photos screengrabbed from Bid Documents from DND.

The sheer number of the requirements may include recruited personnel that failed to receive new 9mm striker fired or 45-caliber hammer fired pistols a few years ago, and additional units in anticipation of more recruits and graduates coming in the next 1-2 years.

There is preference on the 9mm Striker Fired Pistol compared to the 45-caliber Hammer Fired Pistols, and this was the same when the AFP originally planned for the acquisition of new pistols back in 2017.

As part of the previous Pistol Acquisition Project, the specifications released was that for 134,681 units of 9mm striker fired pistols, but due to the instructions of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, the AFP divided the acquisition to allow for 45-caliber pistols to be included. Ultimately the AFP awarded contracts to Glock Asia Pacific for 74,681 units of Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistols through local supplier Trust Trade, and Armscor Global Defense for their Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra 45-caliber pistols, and a small order as emergency procurement for 1,000 BUL Cherokee 9mm pistols.

The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra 45-cal pistol (top) and the Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol (above), both with the AFP logo to show ownership by the AFP over these pistols. Photo credits to PTV4 News and AFP Reserve Command.

The BUL Cherokee 9mm pistol from Israel. Credits to original source of photo.

Based on the bidding results from the previous Pistol 9mm Striker Fired Acquisition Project of 2017, Trust Trade-Glock Asia Pacific competed against CZ USA, Intrade Asia Pacific (local supplier of SIG Sauer), Precision Munitions (local supplier, unknown offer). There is a possibility that the same would happen, and probably other suppliers might also submit their bids and take interest in the project.

But while we believe Glock might have an edge in this procurement since the Glock 17 is currently the standard and most widely-used 9mm striker-fired pistol in the AFP, this might not be the case for this project.

Take note of the technical specifications - it requires for the 9mm pistol to have either an aluminium or carbon steel lower receiver frame. Glock is famous for using polymer material for its frames including the lower receiver. Which means that Glock may be disqualified from participating in this tender for not meeting this requirement.

Other manufacturers have different variants of 9mm striker fired pistols that either use polymer or carbon steel frames like the SIG Sauer P320, which could have advantage in this tender.

The recent wins of SIG Sauer in the Philippine Army's firearms procurement could be an indication that they could be poised to win this tender, unless if the specifications were written that would allow other cheaper competitors to bag the project.

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30 December 2023:

The DND has confirmed that the project bidding was declared a failure as of 19 December 2023, although no reason has been announced.

It remains to be seen if the project will restart bidding by 2024.

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First edit and release: 14 October 2023
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource.