MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking for suppliers of seat cartridge escape systems for its South Korean FA-50PH “Fighting Eagle” jet fighters.
Budget for the project has been set at PHP49.98 million, said the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.
Opening of bids is scheduled at 9:15 a.m. on June 6 at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
“The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA (Republic Act No.) 9184 and its IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders,” PAF Bids and Awards Committee head Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the same bid bulletin Thursday.
The FA-50PHs had its baptism of fire during the Marawi City campaign where it was heavily used for close-air support mission roles, along with the venerable OV-10 “Bronco” turbo-prop attack aircraft, SF-260 light bombers and various attack helicopters of the PAF.
The FA-50PHs has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted with air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles, aside from light automatic cannons.
A total of 12 aircraft were acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries for PHP18.9 billion. Delivery commenced in November 2015 and was completed in May 2017. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
