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

With the transition of the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps to use the modern and new Harris 5800 Falcon II family of manpack radios by 2004, it was clear that any follow-on requirements will place the Falcon II system as priority.

A follow-on order was indeed made, with Harris Corporation directly contracted to supply additional units under the Radio, 20W HF/SSB (Phase II) Joint Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy (Marines).

The Harris RF-5800H-MP Falcon II manpack secured communications radio.

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Project Summary:

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

Note: Edited as of 23 November 2024.

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

* Quantity: 246 units (231 units for Philippine Army, 15 units for Philippine Marine Corps)

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

* Project ABC: Php338,500,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement (Direct Contracting)

* 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: Php324,960,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php13,540,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: TBC

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAPMCRadio20WMPPhaseIIJointAcquisition

* Status: Follow-on order and underwent direct negotiation with Harris Corporation, which was contract to supply a similar requirement in 2003. Awarded to Harris Corporation USA in 2004, with Contract approved as of 19 August 2004. Completed delivery as of 01 June 2005, declared completed by DND as of June 2005. 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.

Two earlier contracts were made with US company Harris Corporation for the supply of both the Harris RF-5800H-MP manpack and RF-5800V-HH handheld radios, and it would be reasonable for the DND to just order the same equipment for commonality.

For the Radio, 20W High Frequency (HF) / Single Side Band (SSB) Manpack Phase II, an additional 246 units of new manpack radios was ordered, with231 units destined for the Philippine Army, and 15 units for the Philippine Marine Corps. 

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 01 June 2005, with the DND declaring the project completed as of June 2005.

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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 June 2005, MaxDefense / Philippine Defense Resource officially consider the Radio, 20W HF/SSB (Phase II) 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