DND: Deal for Korean fighter jets ‘almost there’

Negotiations between Filipino and South Korean officials on the acquisition of a squadron of F/A-50 lead-in fighter jets moved forward Friday, prompting Defense undersecretary Fernando Manalo to say "we are almost there."

 

He was referring to a deal that will see the Philippine Air Force regaining the fighter capability it lost in 2005 when the last of its aging F-5 fighters were decommissioned.  

 

Manalo, who chairs the Bids and Awards and Committee negotiating with state-owned Korean Aerospace Industries since 2013, said the two sides have reached an agreement  Buyer-Furnished Equipment (BFE) and the cost of the spares for the 12 aircraft.

 

The two issues had been holding back the P18.9-billion project.

 

The South Koreans agreed to shoulder any increase in the BFE cost, projected to be $5.93 million and the corresponding increment cost.

The BFE includes navigational systems which will be bought from the US.

 

The Department of National Defense agreed to reduce the amount of spares for the aircraft by $500,000. Manalo said the decrease was "negligible" but did not give details on the total cost of spares.

 

The DND will come out with a Notice of Award once the Budget department issues a Multi-Year Obligational Authority, he said, adding the government expects to sign a contract for the new aircraft by March 15.

 

The acquisition of the Korean fighters will bring the department closer to the “objective to have a minimum credible defense (posture) for our Armed Forces,” Manalo said. — JDS, GMA News