The country’s Department of Budget and Management (DBM) already finalized the purchase of the 12 Korean FA-50 fighter jets after they released the special allotment release order (SARO) which allocates a total of P18.9-billion.
According to Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo the SARO was issued by the DBM on June 24, 2014. After the release and issuance of SARO, the Department of National Defense (DND) can now issue the notice to proceed (NTP). Once the NTP will be received and concurred by the supplier, the contract implementation will start.
The Philippine Government and the Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) signed earlier the contract for the procurement of 12 lead-in fighter jets to boost the capability of the Philippine Air Force and as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program under Pres. Aquino.
According to the Defense Department, the delivery of the sophisticated FA-50s will start 18 months after the opening of the letter of credit, a document that assures the Korean company that the Philippines will fulfill its obligations in the purchase of the jet fighters. The FA-50’s of the Philippine Air Force is expected to be completed by the year 2017.
The Korean jet fighter, FA-50’s designed was drafted from the highly-popular F-16 jet fighters of the US Air Force and was manufactured by the world’s leading arms manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.
The FA-50 of the Philippine Air Force will be used by the Philippine government to boosts the air assets of the Philippines after the country retired its last fighter jets, the F-5 Freedom Fighters fleet during the year 2005.
The Defense Department also noted that the acquisition of the 12 Korean FA-50 fighter jets will require the government to provide a total of P4.5 billion in munitions aside from the needed basing support of the jet fighters that could cost P135.99 million in taxpayer’s money.
