Radio, 20W HF/SSB Manpack (Phase I) Joint Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marines)

In the early 2000s, the Philippine Army (PA), together with the Philippine Navy on behalf of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) raised the acquisition of new tactical military secured communication systems as a high priority to start the modernization of its forces.

Several projects were raised related to this, to replace many of its ageing tactical communication systems. 

One of the first projects of the AFP Modernization Program - Capability Upgrade Program, the Radio, 20W HF/SSB (Phase I) Joint Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marines) called for the purchase of 325 units of new secured Manpack radio.

The Harris RF-5800H-MP Falcon II man-portable radio.

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Project Summary:

Radio, 20W HF/SSB Manpack (Phase 1) Joint Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 23 November 2024.

* End User: Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marines) (multiple units)

* Quantity: 325 units

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

* Project ABC: Php445,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

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

* Winning Proponent: Harris Corporation (USA)

* Product for Delivery: Harris RF-5800H-MP Falcon II

* Contract Price: Php427,432,320.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php17,567,680.00

* First post by MaxDefense: TBC

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAPMCRadio20WMPJointAcquisition

* Status: Awarded to Harris Corporation USA in 2003. Completed delivery as of 19 May 2004, declared completed by DND as of May 2004. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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Overview:

As modernization of the ground forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines start to proceed, it was determined that tactical communications should be given top priority as the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps have been using legacy military radios from the 1970s and early 1980s, many of which have become difficult to sustain, and difficult to replace.

Many of the frontline units of the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps have been supplanting the lack of tactical communication systems with commercially-available handheld and manpack radios, which are easily intercepted by civilians and insurgent groups which are also using similar systems.

Until the early 2000s, the PA and PMC were still using old military radio systems from the 1970s and 1980s including the American-made AN/PRC-77 (top) and Filipino-made VETRONIX Patrolfone series (above). Photo credits to Wikipedia.

This resulted in the enemy gaining knowledge on movement and information of the PA and PMC units that may have been used to either ambush government forces, or escape from their movement.

It was also recommended by the Joint Military Assistance Group - Philippines (JUSMAG-P) that this should be given utmost attention.

With these, a decision to procure modern tactical communication systems have been prioritized, with several projects meant to provide base, manpack, and hand held secure communication radios have been raised.

Priority was given on acquisition of new tactical secured communication radios. Photo credits to Philippine Army.

For the Radio, 20W High Frequency (HF) / Single Side Band (SSB) Manpack Phase I, an acquisition for 325 units of new manpack radios was made, with majority to be for the Philippine Army, and the rest to the Philippine Marine Corps. 

Despite a public tender, preference for American systems was obvious since interoperability was being eyed. This led to the winning of Harris Corporation in 2003, which will deliver tactical secure radios, including providing logistics support and training for the operators.

The Harris 5800H Falcon II was then the prevailing model that is also being used actively by the US Armed Forces. The Falcon II family consisted of base, manpack and handheld radios, all of which the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps will ultimately acquire.

The RF-5800 Falcon II family of tactical secured communication radios. Photo credits to Rallce.com.

The Department of National Defense confirmed that deliveries to both the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps were completed by 19 May 2004, although it was not clear how the distribution was made between the two services.

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With the Harris RF-5800H-MP Falcon II radios already delivered and formally activated with different units of the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, as well as the declaration from the Department of National Defense of project completion as May 2004, MaxDefense / Philippine Defense Resource officially consider the Radio, 20W HF/SSB (Phase 1) Joint Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marines) as COMPLETED.

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First posted and released on 23 November 2024
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource