SIG PABAC-005-21 Night Fighting System Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for new Night Fighting Systems as part of its effort to improve its overall capability, especially on combat operations at night.

The Night Fighting System Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, this specific one made in 2021, was publicly tendered by the Philippine Army and is being procured without relying on the AFP Modernization Program.

A typical example of night vision monocular mounted on a helmet. Photo credits to MKU Ltd.

Project Summary:

Night Fighting System Acquisition Project (2021)

Note: edit as of 24 March 2023.

* Project Number: SIG PABAC-005-21

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 661 nos Night Vision Monoculars, 661 nos Infrared Aiming Device, 66 nos Laser Zeroing Device

* Modernization Phase: N/A, Philippine Army procurement outside RAFPMP for 2021

* Project ABC: Php249,563,905.84

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

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

* Tender Number: PABAC 005-21

* SARO Release: N/A

* Winning Proponent: MKU Limited (India)

* Product for Delivery:
- 661 units MKU Netro NM-3000 night vision monocular with accessories,
- 661 units unconfirmed infrared aiming device, and
- 66 units laser zeroing device.

* Contract Price: Php182,067,970.00

* Residual Amount: Php67,495,935.84

* First post by MaxDefense: 19 February 2022

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag/s: #PANFS2021Acquisition

* Status: SOBE held on 30 July 2021. MKU Limited of India declared Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder, with Notice of Award released on 08 November 2021. Contract was signed on 22 November 2021, and the Notice to Proceed was released on 24 January 2022. Contract requires delivery within 180 days from release of NTP, which is around July 2022.

Overview:

As part of lessons learned from the Battle of Marawi City in 2017, and as part of the modernization plans of the Philippine Army, requirements for more Night Fighting Systems has been raised.

This will increase the number of PA combat units that will have sufficient night fighting capabilities, which in turn improves their overall combat capability.

There have been several attempts by the Philippine Army since 2018 to procure Night Fighting Systems using their own annual budget and procured through public bidding, rather than relying on the AFP Modernization Program. But majority of these attempts failed, and this specific project for 661 sets of Night Fighting Systems is believed to be the only one that succeeded.

No specifics were made on which unit will be using these NFS.

Photo credits to MKU Ltd.

3 companies were able to submit a bid for this tender: MKU Limited of India, Joint Venture of Boston Home Inc. and Philippine Chemsteel Industries Inc., and Panpisco Technologies Inc.

MKU Ltd was declared the Lowest Calculated Bidder, and was able to pass the Post Qualification Inspections held on 05 August 2021.

MKU Ltd has 2 night vision monoculars in their product line that can be used as a helmet-mounted or weapon mounted system - the Netro NM-3000 and NM-3200. It is believed that the NM-3000, which does not have an intergrated infrared aiming device, and is a simpler and cheaper variant between the two, is the one offered by MKU to the Philippine Army. But if the Philippine Army agrees that the intergrated infrared aiming device is acceptable to replace the requirement for a separate one, then MKU may offer the more expensive NM-3200 model.

661 sets consisting of a Night Vision Monocular and Infrared Aiming Device, plus 66 units of Laser Zeroing Devices would be delivered within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed, which is by July 2022.

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U P D A T E S:
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29 January 2022:

Based on PhilGEPS website, the Night Fighting Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army for 2021 was won by MKU Limited of India, which was declared the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) after competing with Joint Venture of Boston Home Inc. and Philippine Chemsteel Industries Inc., and Panpisco Technologies Inc.

The Notice of Award was released in favor of MKU Ltd on 08 November 2021, and the Contract signed on 22 November 2021.

The Notice to Proceed was released on 24 January 2022.

Expected delivery will be by July 2022, although MKU Ltd may deliver earlier depending on their capacity.