PHL, Spain eye military equipment procurement deal

The Defense Department is eyeing to ink a Memorandum of Understanding with its Spanish counterpart for procurement of defense equipment.

In a statement, the DND said discussions on the MOU on Logistics, Defense Materiel, Armaments and Defense Industry Cooperation between the two countries were done during the meeting between top officials of the DND and the Directorate General of Armaments and Materiel of Spain's Ministry of Defense last October 20 to 23.

“The proposed MOU will serve as the legal framework for the Defense Department to procure equipment from Spain through government-to-government deals pursuant to RA 9184 (Procurement Law). This is very timely in light of the ongoing implementation of the 2nd Horizon of the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program,” Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Logistics Jesus Rey Avilla said.

The Spanish delegation, headed by Major General Felipe de la Plaza who serves as Deputy National Armament Director for International Relations, also expressed interest in collaborating with the local defense industry and paid a visit to Armscor, a local firearms manufacturing company.

The MOU being discussed, however, won't mark the first time of Spain's involvement in modernizing the Philippine military.

Spanish Defense Industries have been actively participating in various procurement projects under the Armed Forces Modernization Program, and among the Philippine military's most recent acquisitions include: three units of Medium Lift Aircraft (C295) for the Philippine Air Force worth P5.29 billion.

These aircraft were procured from Spanish aircraft manufacturer EADS CASA, now Airbus, and are are now being used for air transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Additionally, a Notice of Award in favor of Airbus has been issued last October 16 for the procurement of one unit of Command and Control Fixed Wing Turbo Prop Aircraft for the Philippine Air Force worth P1.8 billion. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News