Minor Mobility Projects of the Philippine Navy under the AFPMP Capability Upgrade Program

Due to the numerous minor projects involved in the AFP Modernization Program's Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Navy and of all other branch services, MaxDefense Philippines decided to combine them to resources pages based on their classification according to Department of National Defense (DND) official documents.

In this case, we focus on Minor "Mobility" Projects under the AFPMP Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Navy, which are projects classified under Force Protection Projects that are less than Php100 million in value.

The project names would still be individually listed in the MaxDefense Philippines' AFP & PCG Modernization Resource Portals and on Philippine Defense Resource's List of Modernization Projects, but will be linked into each of the grouped resource pages of each branch service. MaxDefense Philippines will follow numbering based on its listing from DND documents.

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"MOBILITY" PROJECTS OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY UNDER THE AFPMP CAPABILITY UPGRADE PROGRAM:

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24. Truck, 2 1/2-ton Troop Carrier/Cargo

Overview:

The project was meant to supply the Philippine Navy 20 units of 2 1/2-ton trucks to improve its mobility and logistics support capabilities.

The trucks were intended for the Philippine Marine Corps, which use them for troop and supply movement and other utilitarian tasks including humanitarian assistance.

The project was a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with the South Korean Government, with KIA Motors designated to supply the vehicles with its KM250 6x6 military truck.

This is not the first time the PMC would be ordering KIA KM250, and its selection is a practical one to have commonality across the fleet.

The trucks were completely delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps as of November 2011.

A KIA KM250 truck of the Philippine Marine Corps. Photo credits to ArmedConflicts.com.

Project Summary:

Trucks, 2 1/2-ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)

* Quantity: 20 nos.

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

* Project ABC: Php80,500,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) Direct Negotiation with South Korean Government

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

* Winning Proponent: KIA Motors

* Product for Delivery: KIA KM250 6x6 military trucks

* Contract Price: Php80,499,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php1,000.00

* Status: Trucks delivered, declared completed as of November 2011.

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25. Trucks, 1 1/4-ton Troop Carrier

Overview:

The project was meant to supply the Philippine Navy 20 units of1 1/4-ton trucks to improve its mobility and logistics support capabilities.

The trucks were intended for the Philippine Marine Corps, which use them for troop and supply movement and other utilitarian tasks including humanitarian assistance.

The project was a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with the South Korean Government, with KIA Motors designated to supply the vehicles with its KM450 4x4 light military truck.

This is not the first time the PMC would be ordering KIA KM450, and its selection is a practical one to have commonality across the fleet.

The trucks were completely delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps as of November 2011.

The KIA KM450 light truck. Photo credits to KIA Motors Special Vehicles.

Project Summary:

Trucks, 2 1/2-ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)

* Quantity: 20 nos.

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

* Project ABC: Php46,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) Direct Negotiation with South Korean Government

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

* Winning Proponent: KIA Motors

* Product for Delivery: KIA KM450 4x4 light military trucks

* Contract Price: Php45,990,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php10,000.00

* Status: Trucks delivered, declared completed as of November 2011.

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30. Truck, 5-ton Prime Mover for 155mm Howitzer

Overview:

The project was meant to supply the Philippine Navy 6 units of 5-ton prime mover trucks which would be used to support the towing of the Philippine Marine Corps' 155mm M71 towed howitzers, and carry its crew and munitions.

The trucks can also be used for other purposes including troop and supply movement and other utilitarian tasks, as well as humanitarian assistance.

The project was a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with the South Korean Government, with KIA Motors designated to supply the vehicles with its KM500 6x6 military truck.

This is the first time the Philippine Marine Corps will acquire the KM500 series truck, although the Armed Forces of the Philippines especially the Philippine Army already have them in their fleet, and support and supply chain is already present.

The trucks were completely delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps as of November 2011.

One of the PMC's KM500 trucks used for hauling the M71 155mm towed howitzer. Photo credits to Philippine Defense Forces Forum.

Project Summary:

Trucks, 5-ton Prime Mover for 155mm Howitzer Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)

* Quantity: 6 nos.

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

* Project ABC: Php38,880,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) Direct Negotiation with South Korean Government

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

* Winning Proponent: KIA Motors

* Product for Delivery: KIA KM500 6x6 military trucks

* Contract Price: Php38,880,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php0.00

* Status: Trucks delivered, declared completed as of January 2013.

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32. Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (2012)

Overview:

The project was originally meant to supply the Philippine Navy with 2 units of Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) for offensive and defensive operations, and with an Approved Budget of Contract (ABC) worth Php40,000,000.00.

The first bidding was originally held on 01 October 2004, with Willard Marine declared the single calculated bidder. But Willard Marine failed to provide the needed submission on financial proposals, and the tender was declared a failure.

2 more re-biddings were held in 2005, but all failing. Eventually the project was cancelled.

In 2012, the project was revived with a reduced ABC of only Php38,400,000.00, and the purpose of acquiring them was changed, now with the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) in security of unspecified Coast Watch Stations.

The boats are equipped with navigation radar and Global Positioning System (GPS), and have mounts for assortment of weapons including light and heavy machine guns.

The project was being purchased through Public Bidding, with a contract awarded to South Korea's Hanwha Corporation for the supply fo 2 RHIBs with a contract price of Php34,752,000.00.

The RHIBs were completely delivered to the Naval Special Operations Group as of September 2013.

An example of an RHIB of the PN NAVSOG. Photo credits to Rappler.

Project Summary:

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat Acquisition Project:

Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Naval Special Operations Group)

* Quantity: 2 nos.

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

* Project ABC: Php38,400,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

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

* Winning Proponent: Hanwha Corporation (South Korea)

* Product for Delivery: unspecified brand of RHIB

* Contract Price: Php34,752,000.00

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php3,648,000.00

* Status: RHIBs delivered, declared completed as of September 2013.

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CANCELLED MOBILITY PROJECTS:

These projects did not reach pre-procurement stages, or were cancelled during the planning or procurement process due to a variety of reasons, as indicated:

1. Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) Project (2014):

The project was meant to provide the Philippine Navy with 2 new Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) with Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Package, with a project budget of Php63,159,000.00, and the invitation issued on July 2014.

The boats were eyed for use for Maritime Interdiction Operations and Gas and Oil Platform (GOPLAT) takedowns.

The RHIBs should be able to function up to sea state 4 condition, has at least 45 knots maximum speed with full load capacity, and shall be capable of carrying a boat team of 4 people, and a NAVSOG team of 10 people.

Delivery was expected to be made in 180 calendar days from issuance of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

It was reported on September 2014 that Anwelh Holdings Inc. was declared the sole compliant bidder, with other bidders' tenders not accepted, consisting of Stoneworks Specialist International Corp., Propmech Corp., Geneve S.A. Philippines Inc., PT Lundin Industry from Indonesia, and South Korea's Hanwha Corp.

But details about the project financing was non-existent in DND AFP Modernization reports from 20014 to 2015, and the project was most likely cancelled.

2. Small Amphibian Vehicle Project:

The project was intended for the acquisition of 10 small amphibian vehicles that can be used for combat and humanitarian purposes by the Philippine Marine Corps.

An ABC worth Php105,000,000.00 was allocated for the project in 2013, with the acquisition process through Public Bidding.

The bidding was held on 12 December 2013, with American company Hydratek Inc. winning the tender with a contract amount of Php66,816,934.90. Hydratek reportedly offered their D2488 tracked amphibious vehicles.

With the huge residual amount, the Philippine Navy decided to order another 5 units worth Php33,408,467,000.00 taken from residual amount from the contract.

But Hydratek failed to deliver even a single vehicle to the Philippine Navy / Philippine Marine Corps by 2016, and the contract was cancelled and Hydratek blacklisted from joining any tenders with the Philippine Government.

Instead of re-tendering the project, it was cancelled, and the budget repurposed for other projects.