MANILA — The chief of the Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday defended the choice of picking South Korean firm Hanhwa for the combat management system of the procured frigates over the widely-preferred Thales Tacticos.
During the House hearing on the multibillion-peso frigate project, PN flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said Hanwha’s Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System (ICMS) complies with the specifications set by the Navy.
Empedrad said both Hanhwa CMS and Thales Tacticos are equally capable to be put into the two newly-acquired frigates.
“There’s no basis to say that Tacticos is far superior than the Naval Shield ICMS,” he said.
“Wala pong kayang gawin ang Tacticos na hindi kayang gawin ng Naval Shield ICMS (There’s nothing Tacticos can do that Naval Shield ICMS can’t). Both CMS satisfy the Philippine Navy’s requirement,” he added.
Emepdrad also insisted that the frigate acquisition project (FAP) is above board and “within the pulse” of Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184).
He, however, warned that further delays in the project’s implementation could cause “financial repercussions.”
The FAP has a contract of PHP18 billion including the weapon systems and munitions.
The frigates, presently being built by HHI, will be armed with weapons capable of neutralizing surface, sub-surface and air threats aside from its electronic warfare ability. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA with reports from Priam Nepomuceno)
