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The Philippines signed a notice of award with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to procure two frigates for the Philippine Navy (PN) in late August. These will be the most advanced vessels the PN has ever operated.
The lot 1 contract signing, which covers the platform and weapon launchers, is imminent. The notice of award is worth PHP15.7 billion ($337 million).
HHI offered its HDF-3000 design as the basis for the PN requirement. Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Incheon-class frigates (one is pictured above) are also based on this design.
The HDF-3000 is 114m long, and it has a 14m beam and 4m draught. Standard displacement is 3,000t. Its maximum speed is 30kt, although at a cruising speed of 18kt it can achieve a range of 4,500nm. The Philippines has opted for an all-diesel propulsion system.
The Philippines wants both an anti-ship and anti-submarine capability on its platform. The exact armaments to be fitted on the PN’s pair of frigates have not been revealed, so the following list of weapons is necessarily speculative.
HHI proposed the LIG Nex1 SSM-700K Haeseong anti-ship missile. The PN specified a 76mm Leonardo (formerly OTO Melara) 76/62 Super Rapid Gun, and a remote-controlled 25mm or 30mm weapon should serve as secondary armament.
It seems likely MBDA’s Mistral surface-to-air missile will provide short-range air defence, while a launcher for lightweight torpedoes is also required. A close-in weapon system (CIWS) has not been specified yet, while the ships are being fitted 'for but not with' a vertical launch system.
The frigates will have a flight deck sufficient to accommodate helicopters
The Philippines has chosen the HDF-3000 design from HHI for its frigate requirement, which is similar to the Incheon class of South Korea. (Photo: author)
up to the 12t class. In March the PN awarded a contract to Leonardo Helicopters for two AW159 Wildcat rotorcraft.
Interestingly, HHI submitted an updated HDF-3500 design to the ROKN for its FFX Batch III project. It is possible that aspects of this newer and stealthier ship could find their way onto the PN’s platform.
The schedule will see HHI submit a finalised design for approval by Q4 of 2017. Handover of the first frigate to the PN is slated for late 2019, while the second should follow by mid-2020.
Bidding for this frigate project commenced in October 2013. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) of India was actually the lowest compliant bidder with its Kamorta-class corvette. However, GRSE was disqualified for having an insufficient net financial contracting capacity.By Gordon Arthur
Philippines to sign landmark deal for advanced warships
DAILY NEWS
DAY 128 September
Troubled waters
South China Sea dispute verdict analysed
Page 11
shephardmedia.com
World Trade Centre, Metro Manila, Philippines 28-30 September 2016
ADAS 2016 Daily News is published by Shephard Media and printed by MM Print Services.
© Shephard Media 2016
Two editions of the show daily are being produced on site. The team can be contacted in the Media Centre or by e-mail at [email protected]
Rotary fling
AFP helicopter procurement update
Page 13
Sailing into the future
Philippine Navy chief interviewed
Page 15
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DAILY NEWS ADAS 2016 DAY ONE
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COM ADAS 2016 3
STAND 2040
The Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG) took receipt of four new aluminium-hull patrol boats on the western island of Palawan earlier this year on 8 July. The four Dauntless 30-class vessels – built by Willard Marine, based in California– were donated to the Philippines by the US under a contract announced on 3 September 2015.
Collectively the boats are worth more than $2.3 million and will be used to patrol coastal waters, combat smuggling, drugs, human trafficking and other forms of seafaring crime, all near areas high in tension due to territorial disputes between Manila and Beijing.
The vessels will be based at Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City on Palawan. They will be operated by the
2nd Maritime Special Operations Unit (SOU), a special marine formation that the US government helped establish in 2010.
The PNP has three such units operating in Tawi-Tawi (1st SOU), Palawan (2nd SOU) and Zamboanga (3rd SOU) to enforce maritime and environmental laws. The units have met with considerable success. For example, force elements arrested Chinese turtle poachers near Hasa Hasa Shoal in 2014.
Willard Marine supplied two versions of the Dauntless 30-class boat to the PNP-MG. These were two 30-foot boats fitted with 480hp engines and dual waterjets, and two slightly longer 34-foot boats with 600hp engines and dual waterjets.
Capable of speeds of 50kt, the high-speed boats have heated and air-conditioned cabins, as well as gun mounts fore and aft. They
can accommodate a complement of up to eight people, according to the manufacturer.
Michael Klecheski, the US embassy deputy chief of mission in Manila, presided over the formal transfer ceremony. In a speech he highlighted the importance of improving maritime police equipment, since maritime domain factors feature in practically all the law enforcement and terrorist threats the Philippines faces today.
The US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) provided the boats and spare parts for the PNP-MG. The INL will fund the training of personnel to operate them.
According to the US embassy in Manila, to date ‘the State Department has donated ten patrol boats that are the primary tools used by the SOU to rescue individuals or stop criminal behaviour’.
STAND 1750
A new, ultra-compact thermal weapon sight designed, developed and manufactured in the UK by Pyser-SGI is debuting at ADAS 2016. Named the PNP-MTHDS, it is a 640x480, 17-micron, 25Hz sight designed to fit onto weapons.
With the device weighing just 347g, the manufacturer highlighted
the tiny size of the sight, which it says equates to the size of an Aimpoint or EOTech day sight. Pyser-SGI describes it as ‘the world’s smallest, lightest and most versatile thermal imaging weapon sight’.
The PNP-MTHDS has ‘seven selectable reticules, video out, 2x and 4x electronic zoom and on-screen digital zeroing information for rapid and precise target acquisition’.
Pyser launches compact thermal sight
Boats donated to Philippine police
As indicated above, the thermal sight has a built-in real-time digital video recorder for special missions.
The PNP-MTHDS operates on two CR123 batteries for up to seven hours of continuous operation.
It can be chosen with 17mm (1x magnification), 25mm (1.5x) or 35mm (2x) objective lenses, these magnification ranges suiting a variety of mission environments.
Another point to note is that this particular high-definition sight is a non-ITAR product, which eases acquisition for a wider range of countries.
Its manufacturer, Pyser-SGI, is a specialist independent British developer and supplier of optical and electro-optical equipment and associated components. Customers include regular and special military forces and police worldwide.
STAND 1451
The L-CAT is a fast catamaran-hulled landing craft developed by French company CNIM for amphibious forces.
One vessel is able to move a motorised infantry platoon with vehicles, a single main battle tank or up to 100t of equipment for military or disaster relief operations. For an archipelagic nation such as the Philippines, a vessel such as L-CAT has obvious advantages.
The L-CAT conducts shore-to-shore missions, but is equally adept at operating from well decks of landing platform docks. It can thus serve either as a fast connector or landing craft. Ramps both fore and aft mean it is truly a Ro-Ro vessel able to load/unload from a slipway, quay or beach.
The L-CAT can reach speeds of 30kt (18kt when fully loaded) in catamaran mode. With the hull lowered, it acts as a regular landing craft.
The French Navy inducted the L-CAT in 2011 under the designation EDA-R, and CNIM commented that it ‘has proven its ability to support armed forces on a global scale during military and civilian operations’.
A CAT that loves water
Photo: Pyser-SGI
The L-CAT is an innovative vessel capable of high-speed operations. (Photo: CNIM)
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 3 9/27/2016 8:05:15 AM
DAY ONE ADAS 2016 DAILY NEWS
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COMADAS 20164
STAND 1523
The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa spread alarm around the globe. Emergent BioSolutions, a US-based bio-pharmaceutical company, aims to provide products to reduce risk for people exposed to such biological threats.
Indeed, in March 2015 the company signed agreements to produce an Ebola Zaire vaccine candidate. Emergent BioSolutions is cooperating with Oxford University, GlaxoSmithKline and the US National Institutes of Health’s National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The company had already completed proof-of-concept manufacturing of such a vaccine candidate for use in a phase 1 clinical study by the Jenner Institute in the UK.
As another example, last November the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Emergent BioSolutions’ BioThrax for post-exposure prophylaxis following suspected or confirmed Bacillus anthracis exposure when administered in conjunction with recommended antibacterial drugs. BioThrax is the
only FDA-licensed vaccine to prevent anthrax.
In August 2015 the firm launched a ruggedised, military-grade auto-injector device. Christened Emergard, it is designed for intramuscular self-injection of antidotes and other emergency response medical treatments to address exposure to certain chemical agents or similar threats.
Auto injectorAdam Havey, executive vice president and president of the bio-defence division at Emergent BioSolutions, stated: ‘Emergent is excited to add the Emergard auto-injector platform to our portfolio, which allows us to supply critical medical countermeasures to militaries and countries across the globe.
'Based on internal market research, we estimate the annual worldwide market for military-grade auto-injectors to be between $100 and 200 million, with one major pharmaceutical company and multiple regional players in the space.’
STAND 2070
The Philippine Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) held a ceremony at Camp O’Donnell to formally induct 114 BAE Systems M113A2 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) on 4 February.
The first batch of 77 APCs reached the Philippines on 9 December 2015, while the remainder arrived five days later.
These were supplied under the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme. This deal, giving Manila the vehicles almost for free, was concluded through the Joint United States Military
Assistance Group (JUSMAG) in June 2012. Delivery had been slightly delayed by finding the funds needed to transport the M113s from the US to the Philippines.
There are ambitious plans to better equip some of these M113A2s with heavier weapons and associated fire control and sighting systems.
‘We’re looking at the reconfiguration of some of the APCs into armoured infantry fighting vehicles, meaning that their .50-calibre machine guns will be replaced with 25mm automatic cannon, so they can be used for internal security and territorial defence operations,’ said Maj Gen Edgar Gonzales, the MID's commander.
Philippine Army bolsters armoured personnel carrier fleet
Bio solutions emerge to combat global threat
Army spokesperson Col Benjamin Hao added: ‘This equipment will be brought down the line to complete the table of equipment, and will enhance our speed and our personnel protection.’ The MID lists five mechanised battalions, each with a theoretical strength of 36 armoured vehicles.
Before these M113A2s were inducted, the MID boasted 343 armoured vehicles distributed nationwide. The MID operates an eclectic mix of tracked M113s, FNSS ACV-15s and FMC AIFVs, as well as wheeled GKN Simbas and Cadillac Gage V-200s.
STAND 1425
A technology demonstrator utilising fused night vision is being showcased at the Thermoteknix stand. This UK-based firm is displaying its 300g handheld/helmet-mounted FuseIR device in the Philippines for the first time.
The company explained, ‘FuseIR is the latest development in the world of night vision offering superior detection and identification capabilities in a compact and lightweight package.’
As its name implies, it combines image intensification (I2) with thermal imaging (TI) to give improved acuity compared to either method by itself. FuseIR allows soldiers to detect and identify targets in low light, complete darkness, dense cloud coverage, jungles, building interiors, fog/smoke, brightly lit urban environments and through glass.
Operators can choose operating modes such as I2 only, I2 with full thermal (fused) or thermal edge enhancement. FuseIR uses a high-sensitivity responsive intensifier tube combined with a MicroCAM 3 TI core.
The company pointed out that it is the only night vision device to use shutterless XTi technology. It also possesses a 40º field of view optimised for goggle usage.
Fusing the picture
Photo: Emergent BioSolutions
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FuseIR combines image intensification with thermal imaging. (Photo: Thermoteknix)
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 4 9/27/2016 8:07:24 AM
Anyway you look at it, you’re ahead on all fronts
Delivering operational excellencein the most challenging scenarios. Equipping countless customers with total solutions to accomplish diverse missions. Customizing systems thatachieve far-reaching goals.Performance-proven time and time again in space, air, on land and at sea. No matter what,when or where. When results matter, you can count on IAI.
WhenResults Matter
ADAS 2016, PhilippinesSEE US AT
Israel Pavilion, Stand 1314
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 5 9/27/2016 3:41:31 AM
Assault RiflePower Supply forVulcan Battery
Charger
Intelligent SurveillanceRobot Systems
UAVSpecial Alloys for
Aerospace
Non-metallic PracticeHand Grenade
Red Dot Sight
SatellitePositionReportingEquipment
FlameRetardantBody Armor
Bomb Blast Resistant Windows
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 6 9/27/2016 3:41:58 AM
Assault RiflePower Supply forVulcan Battery
Charger
Intelligent SurveillanceRobot Systems
UAVSpecial Alloys for
Aerospace
Non-metallic PracticeHand Grenade
Red Dot Sight
SatellitePositionReportingEquipment
FlameRetardantBody Armor
Bomb Blast Resistant Windows
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 7 9/27/2016 3:42:30 AM
DAY ONE ADAS 2016 DAILY NEWS
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COMADAS 20168
STAND 1110
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is appearing at ADAS for the first time. Ahead of the exhibition, ADAS Daily News spoke to Giora Katz, executive vice president of marketing and business development, about Rafael’s
Rafael aims to expand Philippine presencecurrent and future involvement in the Philippine market.
According to Katz, his company is already involved in a number of important projects to help equip the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He revealed: ‘Rafael is under contract to supply the Philippines with precision-guided munition systems including the Typhoon family of remote-controlled weapon systems and Spike-ER [missile] for the navy, as well as Spike NLOS for anti-submarine warfare helicopters.’
The latter refers to two AW159 helicopters that the Philippine Navy will operate from its pair of future frigates, to be constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
There are other AFP programmes that Rafael would like to tap into too. Katz said, for example, that the
company has offered the Philippines a ‘variety of capabilities including air defence, advanced weapon systems for the FA-50 (Spice precision-guided munitions, Litening targeting pod, Derby air-to-air missiles and others) for land and naval arenas to deal with insurgency, terrorism and other threats’.
Important eventGiven the scale of its recent involvement in the Philippine market, Katz noted that ‘ADAS is an important event and an opportunity to display our most advanced combat-proven systems and capabilities that meet our Philippine partners’ and customers’ requirements.’
He added: ‘The Philippine military is an important customer for Rafael and is already using a few of our
most advanced technologies. We look forward to further discussions with our Philippine partners and to deepening our cooperation.’
Rafael has achieved success in the wider Asian region as well. For example, it provided Spike NLOS missiles to South Korea under a 2011 contract, while India and Singapore are customers of the SPYDER surface-to-air missile system.
Katz commented: ‘All of the above categories of systems are part of active programmes in Southeast Asia… These are all durable and operationally proven under similar climatic and environmental conditions to those which exist in the Philippines (high humidity, cloud coverage and high temperature).’By Gordon Arthur
Giora Katz (Photo: Rafael)
Thales ready to build on Southeast Asian success STAND 1410
Marie-Laure Bourgeois, vice president for Thales South and Southeast Asia, outlined the company’s involvement and trajectory in the Philippines. It has been present regionally for 45 years and the group has 900-plus employees in the region.
Thales has been heavily involved in Philippine civil aerospace since 1992. Bourgeois highlighted how the company was contracted in 2011 to modernise the country’s communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic control systems. Since then it has installed air surveillance radars in ten locations.
What about the Philippine defence sector, then? Bourgeois would not be drawn: ‘I am afraid that, due to confidentiality agreements, I am unable to comment on any existing or future projects. But I can say that Thales is a long-standing partner to many of the regional defence forces
and we stand ready to support the Philippines in their defence requirements.’
She did note, though, that: ‘With the Philippine government’s recent proposal to increase the 2017 defence budget by 15% to $2.9 billion, I can say that there is much potential for Thales in this market to support local defence needs.’
The regional vice president commented that ‘ADAS is a great opportunity to showcase some Thales solutions that could support local stakeholders’. There are two main sectors Thales is concentrating upon at the exhibition – naval and air defence systems.
The former includes the FLASH (Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters) sonar that Bourgeois described as ‘a best-in-class dipping sonar’. Also for the naval sector is Thales’ medium-range NS100 radar plus the Tacticos combat management system that Bourgeois said is presently installed on 174 warships in 16 navies.
As for air defence, Thales is showing its GM400 long-range air surveillance radar, short-range Starstreak high-velocity missile and the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), a ‘precision strike missile designed to be fired from a variety of tactical platforms’.
Both Starstreak and LMM can be launched from the Lightweight Multiple Launcher ‘on a tripod or vehicle mount to support swift deployment’.
In the wider Southeast Asia region, Thales has supplied ‘naval radars,
sonars, electronic warfare and combat systems to many... naval forces’. Bourgeois listed Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as customers. In fact, she added: ‘Just this year we’ve had remarkable success with the Royal Thai Navy, who has selected us for a full spectrum of above-water and underwater systems as they seek to modernise their fleet.’
The same three countries have invested in Thales integrated air defence products, including Starstreak, ForceShield, radar and weapon coordination systems. ‘I believe we have a good track record in Southeast Asia, something that the Philippines can certainly reference, and which could be relevant as they seek partners who can support their defence needs,’ the executive pointed out.
Bourgeois concluded that, given Thales’ ‘healthy growth in order intake and sales in 2015… we’re optimistic about the future of defence in the Southeast Asia region’.By Gordon Arthur
Marie-Laure Bourgeois (Photo: Thales)
Sea Beyond the Horizon
Over-the-Horizon (OTH)Coastal Radar
Introducing IAI’s newOver-the-Horizon (OTH) radar
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B 156BARX17
ADAS 2016, PhilippinesSEE US AT
Israel Pavilion, Stand 1314
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 8 9/27/2016 8:07:54 AM
Sea Beyond the Horizon
Over-the-Horizon (OTH)Coastal Radar
Introducing IAI’s newOver-the-Horizon (OTH) radar
• Long-rangecoastalsurveillance• HFfrequencyhighresolutiondigital array• Upto200nmsurfacetarget detectionandtracking• 120ºazimuthcoverage• Lowflyingtarget detection
T 148B 95TARX85
T 172B 123SKRD12 T 101
B 156BARX17
ADAS 2016, PhilippinesSEE US AT
Israel Pavilion, Stand 1314
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 9 9/27/2016 3:43:48 AM
DAY ONE ADAS 2016 DAILY NEWS
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COMADAS 201610
Booster shot for PCG
STAND 1760
A highlight for Saab at ADAS 2016 is its Gripen cockpit simulator, a chance for wannabe pilots to chalk up some virtual flying hours. This fully functional device demonstrates all the aircraft’s operational modes.
Importantly, Saab is also taking the significant step of opening an
Getting to grips with Gripen
office in Manila. This follows the lead set by the Swedish government when it reopens its embassy in the capital later this year.
ADAS Daily News spoke to Carl-Erik Leek, head of the soon-to-open Saab office. He said: ‘ADAS is very important to show our products and we will have a bigger presence than ever.’ Saab’s focus at the show is on land and air systems.
Leek said the JAS 39C Gripen is a ‘very strong contender’ in the Philippines. Even while the Philippine Air Force inducts 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea, it is already eyeing a more capable fast-jet fleet for the future. Indeed, a decision on such a multirole fighter programme could be made within the current term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Saab strongly believes Gripen is ‘the best option’ for the country, giving the air force a major step up from the FA-50. Furthermore, it can offer a proven ‘Swedish air power package’ that incorporates airborne early warning aircraft, national data links and command and control.
Indeed, Thailand is a regional example of what can be achieved by Saab. ‘It would be a powerful capability
for the Philippines; it would be the best way to maintain sovereignty over all the land and sea territory concerned,’ a spokesman said.
Air defence and awareness of what is going on over the horizon are key components to any future Philippine defence capability. Saab believes the Swordfish maritime patrol and the GlobalEye multirole surveillance aircraft thus have good potential, plus the Giraffe radar is popular regionally.
With the Philippine Navy ready to sign on the dotted line for two frigates from Hyundai Heavy Industries, Saab senses potential for its combat management system and radars to be installed on these or other future vessels.By Gordon Arthur
Photo: Saab
STAND 1852
ADAS Daily News spoke to Cdr Armando A Balilo, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, about the formation’s role and tasks.
The PCG currently boasts 8,807 personnel, of whom 853 are officers. The force is concentrating on recruiting new members, and at the moment there are 161 applicants to join the officer corps, with 753 applying as enlisted personnel.
Regarding the ratio of female to male staff, Balilo commented: ‘Knowing that the Philippine Coast Guard is a male-dominated organisation, it sees to it that 10% of its recruitment is provided for female coast guard applicants.’
The PCG faces a daunting task, Balilo explained: ‘The Philippines has a maritime jurisdiction of almost 2,200,000km². However, with this vast maritime jurisdiction, the PCG cannot monitor all of it, knowing that the command only has four 56m and 35m search and rescue vessels, of which one of each is in not-ready-for-sea (NRFS) status, and four of our
auxiliary escort vessels are in NRFS status as well.’
Given this, Balilo noted that ‘the acquisition of brand new vessels would be a solution to this challenge’. In this context, the arrival of ten Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) is hugely important to the PCG. These craft are being built by Japan Marine United Corporation.
Balilo confirmed that on 18 August the first MRRV had arrived at the Headquarters Coast Guard Ready Force in Manila with 12 PCG personnel and nine Japanese crewmen aboard. He added: ‘The nine [remaining] MRRVs are expected to arrive every three months, starting in December 2016.’
In the first week of October, MRRV-4401 (pictured above right) will be commissioned into the PCG as BRP Tubbataha. All ten vessels are being named after Philippine lighthouses ‘to denote their significance as an aid to navigation to mariners’.
The MRRVs ‘will be deployed to various PCG districts across the country, including Manila, La Union and Puerto Princesa', according to Balilo.
Their functions are manifold. Serving as platforms for rapid response after a disaster, the PCG spokesman said they will be the primary rescue vessels within each district’s area of responsibility (AOR) for larger-scale disasters. They will also assist in protecting the marine environment.
In addition, the MRRVs are responsible for enforcing ‘all applicable maritime laws within the designated AOR, particularly relating to illegal fishing and sea patrol’. They will transport personnel and equipment too. Balilo described special features of these MRRVs that
are useful for various search and rescue and maritime security and law enforcement operations. These include ‘fire monitors, night vision camera, radio direction-finder and a workboat. It has a speed of approximately 25kt with a cruising range of 1,500nm and a bulletproof navigational bridge.’
Balilo highlighted regular water search and rescue training for PCG personnel and other civilian entities. ‘This has been a strength of the PCG, since this organisation vows to save and promote the safety of lives and other property at sea,’ he concluded.By Gordon Arthur
Photo: PCG
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 10 9/27/2016 8:08:36 AM
DAILY NEWS ADAS 2016 DAY ONE
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COM ADAS 2016 11
Troubled waters
In the first of a two-part analysis, ADAS Daily News examines the recent court verdict in Manila's favour in its dispute with Beijing over territorial claims in the South China Sea, By Gordon Arthur
On 12 July the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague handed down a landmark decision in a 2013 case the Philippines had brought against China regarding the latter’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
This is the first of two articles examining that decision. This one focuses on the findings of the PCA, while tomorrow ADAS Daily News will examine future implications of the court’s decision in a second feature.
Many – none more so than China – were stunned by the comprehensive nature of the verdict in Manila’s favour. Indeed, the decision can be seen as nothing less than a wholesale indictment of Chinese policy and behaviour.
Andrew Erickson, professor of strategy at the US Naval War College, commented: ‘This is a remarkable victory for the Philippines.’ He added, ‘Many will be struck by the fact that the
tribunal found Beijing to have violated no fewer than 14 UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] provisions, six international regulations for preventing collisions at sea [COLREGS] and one general rule of international law.’
China all along stated it would not participate in PCA proceedings, nor accept or abide by any decision. Instead, it launched a pre-emptive worldwide publicity campaign attacking the legality and impartiality of the PCA.
Although Beijing refused to attend hearings, the 501-page final report revealed that China individually lobbied judges and used the Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands to make submissions to the PCA.
The Philippines raised 15 specific questions for the court to rule upon. Because the 1982 UNCLOS governs only maritime matters, it avoided sovereignty of
features in the South China Sea, ie who owns what.
Finding faultSo what did the court decide?
The first bombshell was that China’s strategically vague ‘nine-dash line’ is illegal and does not carry ‘historic rights’. It concluded: ‘China’s claims to historic rights, or other sovereign rights or jurisdiction, with respect to the maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the “nine-dash line” are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention.’
It said elsewhere: ‘The tribunal is unable to identify any evidence that would suggest that China historically regulated or controlled fishing in the South China Sea, beyond the limits of the territorial sea.’
Sebastien Colin – researcher at the Hong Kong-based French
Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) – said he was not surprised by this finding. He told ADAS Daily News, ‘The notion of historic rights is very difficult to prove, and the fact that China didn’t participate in the arbitration made this finding predictable.’
Island identificationSecondly, the PCA ruled that no geographic features in the South China Sea – of any nation – can be classified as islands. Specifically, Scarborough Shoal, Cuarteron Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Johnson Reef, McKennan Reef and Gaven Reef (North) are high-tide features (ie rocks), while Hughes Reef, Gaven Reef (South), Subi Reef, Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal are low-tide elevations.
Thus, none is entitled to any EEZ or continental shelf individually or collectively, although rocks do generate 12nm territorial waters.
The court ruled: ‘Having found that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an EEZ, the tribunal found that it could – without
Beijing’s maritime claims in the South China Sea were slammed in the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration handed down on 12 July. (Photo: author)
SD-16-ADAS-01_p01-16.indd 11 9/27/2016 3:48:23 AM
DAY ONE ADAS 2016 DAILY NEWS
WWW.SHEPHARDMEDIA.COMADAS 201612
delimiting a boundary – declare that certain sea areas are within the EEZ of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.’
The panel concluded that Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal form part of the EEZ and continental shelf of the Philippines. Considering that China has built a sophisticated military base at the former, it is thus deemed illegal.
Thirdly, the judges decreed that China interfered in the EEZ of the Philippines in terms of traditional fishing rights, petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands and dangerous conduct by Chinese law enforcement vessels.
Fourthly, the PCA severely criticised China for ‘irreparable’ harm inflicted on the marine environment due to reef reclamation activities. It also violated obligations to protect the environment and fishing stocks, and manage its own fishermen to prevent large-scale harvesting of endangered species.
Finally, the court adjudged that China had aggravated the dispute with its large-scale island reclamation and facility construction. It should not have done so during dispute resolution proceedings. Furthermore, building facilities does not convey any maritime legal rights after the fact.
Chinese reactionBeijing’s reaction was predictably defiant. On its Weibo account, the People’s Daily carried the slogan: ‘Don’t accept, don’t participate, don’t recognise, don’t carry out.’
In sharp contradiction to PCA findings, the Chinese government released a statement asserting it has ‘territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea’ that are ‘consistent with relevant international law and practice’.
It continued: ‘China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law.’ Given that the Philippines had already engaged in 17 fruitless years of bilateral negotiations with China, and that Beijing has only hardened its position, it is difficult to anticipate significant progress under such preconditions.
Mixed responseThe US stated: ‘When joining the Law of the Sea Convention, parties agree to the convention’s compulsory dispute settlement process to resolve disputes… As provided in the convention, the tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both China and
the Philippines. The United States expresses its hope and expectation that both parties will comply with their obligations.’
Because it impinges on its own nine-dash-line claim in the South China Sea, Taiwan was angered by the decision too, calling it ‘completely unacceptable’. Taiwan occupies Taiping Island, the largest feature in the Spratlys. The tribunal decreed that Taiping is a rock and therefore does not generate any EEZ.
Colin said this conclusion was surprising. He noted: ‘My understanding is that the tribunal wished to simplify the situation (if none of the islands can generate an EEZ, it will be easier to delineate the EEZ from the coasts of the states because there will not be overlapping zones).’ He noted this had an important impact for Taiwan, underscored by the fact that its government promptly despatched a frigate to Taiping after the ruling was announced.
Indeed, Taipei argued: ‘The arbitral tribunal did not formally invite the ROC [Republic of China] to participate in its proceedings, nor did it solicit the ROC’s views. Therefore, the award has no legally binding force on the ROC.’
It is true that Taiwan is not party to UNCLOS, but it now faces a decision whether to stick with its historical nine-dash-line claim or
to align with international maritime law.
This ruling was fortunately not swayed by diplomatic wranglings but, while binding, there is no enforcement mechanism. With China rebutting the decision, it is inconceivable that Beijing will desist from its claims. However, given that China is a voluntary signatory to UNCLOS, to ignore it would call into question the country’s integrity.
Reasons for optimism?Where will it go from here? Colin offered some thoughts: ‘The post-arbitration geopolitical situation in the South China Sea will depend mostly on how states, not only China and the Philippines, but also Vietnam, Taiwan and the US, manage the award.’
He warned that China could build new facilities and greater militarisation could occur on the features it already occupies, including multiplied military drills. ‘Such a development would be likely (and this would be perhaps the major impact), amplifying strategic rivalry between China and the US amid legal disagreement on the application of certain provisions of UNCLOS.’
It is not all doom and gloom, however. Colin added: ‘Beyond this rivalry and some knee-jerk reactions that could be taken by China – and Taiwan – there is nevertheless room for easing tensions. The key is without doubt very largely in the hands of the new Philippine administration led by Rodrigo Duterte, who has the dual mission of managing the heritage of the outcome of an arbitration procedure launched by his predecessor while redefining a policy vis-à-vis China.’
Importantly, the ruling from The Hague does provide a legal context for neighbours and the world to view Chinese claims and actions in the South China Sea.
Tomorrow’s ADAS Daily News will look in more depth at the future prospects for easing tensions between China and other claimants and the international community in this vital maritime area. ADAS
One of the Philippine Navy’s Emilio Jacinto-class corvettes sails in the West Philippine Sea. The PN commissioned three ships of this class in 1997. (Photo: author)
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Rotary flingIn the face of domestic insurgency and an increasingly belligerent China, updating or replacing military helicopter fleets in the Philippines is a matter of increasing urgency. By Mike Yeo
Various Philippine rotary-wing assets have proven themselves in operations against the insurgencies in the south of the country, where they have been used for troop transport, armed reconnaissance, light attack and casualty evacuation.
Transport helicopters have also shown their worth in responding to the numerous natural disasters that befall the Philippines. The country is battered by around 20 typhoons or tropical storms annually, and it also sits astride the ‘Ring of Fire’. As a consequence, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions make up a significant portion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) helicopter flying.
There has been an increase in maritime confrontations around
disputed reefs in the South China Sea, centred around Beijing’s increasingly assertive behaviour in the area. The current AFP modernisation programme also places emphasis on the acquisition of naval helicopters for general-purpose missions on board naval vessels.
Old favouritesThe workhorse of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter fleet is the ubiquitous Bell UH-1 Huey. The service has operated these versatile machines since the late 1960s and sustainment of its current fleet and procurement of additional aircraft is a central plank of the PAF’s recapitalisation efforts.
The PAF is known to have signed several contracts for
refurbished UH-1s from various sources since the early 2000s. This was believed to cover 46 aircraft in total, including five ex-US Army machines delivered in November 2010 through Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
While attempts have been made to bring the aircraft to a common standard prior to delivery, there is still an assortment of different configurations in the Huey fleet, which has caused problems with sustainment. Attrition brought about by heavy use and shortage of funds has also resulted in the number of serviceable aircraft remaining low.
The Philippines made another attempt to increase the numbers of UH-1s in service in 2012, when it solicited bids for the acquisition
of 21 refurbished aircraft. Three rounds of bidding were conducted, but failed to find a successful contractor to supply the aircraft.
The Department of National Defense (DND) proceeded to negotiate directly with a joint venture of US-based Rice Aircraft Services and Eagle Copters, eventually awarding the consortium a PHP1.25 billion contract for 21 refurbished aircraft in late December 2013. These were Dornier-built UH-1Ds from Germany, which are almost identical to the UH-1Hs already in service.
The helicopters were supposed to start arriving within six months after the contract award, although this quickly ran into controversy with reports of corruption and accusations of sub-standard aircraft being delivered.
The contract was finally terminated by the DND in what appear to have been rancourous circumstances in April 2015, after only seven helicopters had been delivered, with then Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin issuing a blacklisting order against the supplier for failure to deliver the ordered units within ‘180 days upon the opening of the letter of credit’.
Combat utilityThe Philippines had earlier attempted to introduce a new combat utility helicopter type into PAF service, with the DND budgeting PHP3 billion for the procurement of eight aircraft. It was hoped that the new type, envisaged to be able to lift an in-cabin payload of 1,364kg, would complement the UH-1H and later become its successor.
Eventually Poland’s PZL-Swidnik succeeded in clinching the deal, securing a PHP2.86 billion contract to supply its W-3A Sokol to the PAF in 2009. Deliveries commenced in early 2012 and concluded at the end of that year.
However, to the PAF’s dismay it was soon discovered that the type was a less than ideal fit for the combat utility role it was acquired for, with the small side doors meaning it was extremely difficult for troops to enter and exit the
The AFP operates a total of 13 AW109 Power helicopters in the light attack/armed scout role, as well as from the navy’s ships for utility missions. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
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aircraft when it was fitted with a pair of door-mounted machine guns, a necessity for counter-insurgency operations.
This shortcoming quickly put paid to the hopes that the Sokols could be used for combat utility missions, and the type was redesignated as a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter soon after. It has been appreciated by its crews in the new role owing to its long endurance and powerful twin engines.
The inability of the Sokols to adequately perform the role meant that the Philippines’ search for a new combat utility helicopter had to go on. This came in the form of a PHP4.9 billion contract for eight Bell 412EPs in March 2014. In a departure from past practices, the contract was a direct government-to-government deal with Canada.
The eight new helicopters, built by Bell Helicopter in Canada, consist of five combat utility models, with the remaining three configured for VIP transport duties with the PAF’s Presidential Airlift Wing. The type was reportedly the PAF’s favoured platform for the earlier competition won by the W-3, but the amount budgeted for that procurement was insufficient to acquire the required number of Bell 412s.
Deliveries of these aircraft were completed in August 2015, and they will replace five older Bell 412s acquired in the 1990s.
Naval acquisitionThe Philippine Navy (PN) announced the acquisition of two ex-US Coast Guard high-endurance cutters under the Excess Defense Article programme in early 2011, with the first ship handed over in May that year. It was announced in September 2011 that three multi-purpose shipboard rotorcraft were to be assigned to the ships under the Naval Helicopter Acquisition Program.
The DND selected AgustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters) to supply three navalised AW109E Powers. A contract worth PHP1.3 billion was signed, with the first three
helicopters arriving in December 2013. An option for two more was subsequently taken up.
The last two aircraft arrived in late 2014, and differed from the previous three in the addition of stub wings for carrying ordnance. All five are fitted with folding main rotors for shipboard operations, along with a rescue winch, emergency flotation devices and a FLIR turret. They are currently used by the PN for general-purpose land- and ship-based operations as a complement to a handful of Bö 105 helicopters.
Sub huntersIn addition, a separate requirement for two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters was flagged up by the DND. The bidding process kicked off in April 2014, with the aircraft expected to be operating mainly from two new frigates the PN was in the process of acquiring. The ASW role is becoming increasingly important in the region, which is seeing the fastest growth in submarine fleets around the world.
The new helicopters were expected to be capable of both ASW and anti-surface warfare, flying at night and in all weathers, and also be able to undertake SAR and maritime surveillance. Onboard equipment was to include radar and electro-optic
systems for detecting and tracking surface targets, plus a tethered active multi-frequency sonar. The aircraft had to be able to carry torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
Two firm bids were considered for the programme, with the Leonardo Helicopters AW159 Wildcat facing off against a joint bid by PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Airbus Helicopters offering the AS565 Panther.
The AW159 was declared the winner in March 2016, with the contract being valued at PHP5.3 billion including training and multi-year support. Mauro Moretti, CEO and general manager at Leonardo said at the time that: ‘We will deliver to the Philippine Navy a state-of-the-art product, unmatched in the modern operational scenarios, and customised to meet their specific needs.’
The helicopters will be delivered in 2018.
Southern discomfortThe Philippine military has been fighting two long-running insurgencies, one against a communist movement and one against Islamic separatist and terrorist groups. The PAF’s MD Helicopters MD 520MG light attack helicopters remain an integral part of fighting insurgencies, carrying out armed
reconnaissance, attacks on the rebels’ hideouts and providing air support for army operations.
With these helicopters ageing and in need of an upgrade, such as the addition of night flying capability, the DND started a search for a more capable light attack platform to complement the MD 520 in mid-2013 under the Attack Helicopter Acquisition Project.
This was in essence a requirement for an armed twin-engine scout helicopter, but with night flying and fighting capability built in from the outset. The new type was expected to be able to carry any combination of machine guns and/or rocket pods up to a maximum of 907kg.
Local media reported in August 2013 that AgustaWestland was the sole bidder for the programme, offering to supply eight AW109 Powers for PHP3.4 billion in a deal that also included initial logistics support and training for aircrew and maintenance personnel. The bid was accepted and a contract announcement was made in November 2013, with deliveries commencing in August 2014.
All eight helicopters under the contract have been delivered and, in late June, outgoing Defense Secretary Gazmin confirmed that the aircraft had seen action in Mindanao. ADAS
The Philippine Air Force acquired eight W-3A Sokol helicopters, these being relegated to the SAR role after arriving in the country. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
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Sailing into the futureVAdm Caesar C Taccad was appointed Flag Officer in Charge of the Philippine Navy on 10 August 2015. The navy chief shared his thoughts with ADAS Daily News about the capabilities and direction of the service ahead of the official opening of the exhibition. By Gordon Arthur
VAdm Taccad commands approximately 23,000 sailors and marines, plus around 1,000 civilian employees on the roster of the Philippine Navy (PN). He noted: ‘We have seen a significant increase in the number of our workforce in recent years due, in part, to the establishment of the market-based recruitment programme, a recruitment system that ensures the best possible pool of qualified applicants from which they can fill vacancies as and when required.’
He places prime importance on his personnel. ‘We believe not only in power in numbers but in the power of highly competent and motivated individuals constituting an organisation.’ Thus, there are programmes being implemented to focus on morale and welfare development plus career and skills enhancement.
Strategic planThe direction for the PN was laid out in the Philippine Navy Sail Plan and Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. Taccad emphasised that he has been ‘using their advocacies and initiatives as a beacon towards continued transformation, modernisation, professionalisation and overall progress consistent with the PN’s vision of a strong and credible navy by 2020’.
He added: ‘During my watch, we have endeavoured to consolidate our gains in strategy-driven capability development, in governance and systems reforms, and in the restructuring and reconstitution of our organisation. On top of these, we have focused our efforts and have worked together for the development and sustainment of our fleet and marine forces for operations.’
He pointed out that the best way to attain operational readiness is through the Deploy, Sustain, Repair/Refurbish and Train/Prepare (DSRT) framework.
Improving conditionsThe PN is not without its challenges, however. Taccad admitted: ‘For a long time, the navy’s organisation, assets and equipment fell into conditions that rendered it incapable of effectively performing territorial defence operations and fulfilling its mandate as the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.’
However, the launch of the Strategic Sail Plan 2020 in 2006 has ‘set the navy back on track in taking a more proactive and strategic approach in addressing the issues confronting the improvement of its capacity and capability’.
The admiral believes that, fast forwarding 20 years, the Philippines will have a ‘stronger and more credible’ navy. It is now in the phase of fielding ‘improved systems and processes, strengthened competence and motivation of its personnel and modernised platforms and assets’.
Key among those platforms is the navy’s landing dock ships. The first, BRP Tarlac, was commissioned in June, while the second vessel is due not later than May 2017.
Taccad explained: ‘The ships are programmed to be the PN’s floating command centre, carrying out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels and also for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Further, these ships are critical assets for civil/military operations thanks to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics and supplies.'
Arriving assetsOther new assets will bolster the PN too, with a number of acquisitions already in the pipeline and set to be realised in coming years. ‘The PN is also set to receive this November its third Hamilton-class cutter from the US. Aside from these, the PN will have in its inventory a Pohang-class corvette, frigates, amphibious assault vehicles and missile-capable multipurpose attack craft.’
Taccad is proud of the recent achievements of his service as it ‘reinvented itself as the benchmark of good governance and excellence’. Specific awards include Performance Governance System Institutionalized Status and the Gold Trailblazer Award for Good Governance in 2014, and the Island of Good Governance in 2015.
‘These awards and recognitions served as validation of the continued efforts of your Philippine Navy in institutionalising reforms and accomplishing breakthrough results in its vision of becoming a strong and credible navy by 2020,’ he concluded. ADAS
VAdm Caesar C Taccad assumed command of the Philippine Navy on 10 August 2015. (Photo: PN)
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