r/PhilippineMilitary

Can anyone enlighten us on whether the PN back in the Andres Bonifacio Class era had plans to uparm her with Harpoons and/or Helicopters?

Construction of the Philippine Navy's additional new 3,200-ton Frigates will take place at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard, with the first steel cutting scheduled to begin in mid-2026 and both vessels expected to be delivered by the end of 2029. Philippine Navy officers are reportedly participating in the design and construction phases to ensure operational compatibility and integrate early crew training.

According to a defense industry official in Ulsan, this vessel is scheduled to be equipped with a 3D air defense search radar, improved electronic warfare (EW) equipment, and a vertical launch system (VLS) capable of launching anti-aircraft missiles. This signifies a dramatic advancement in the Philippine Navy's air defense capabilities.

In addition, the Korean Combat Management System (CMS), domestically produced sensors, and anti-ship missiles are expected to be integrated. These vessels are designed to be optimized for multi-domain operations in coastal and open-sea environments, aligning with the Philippine Navy's evolving doctrine.

https://www.dailydefense.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1492

My gut tells me something is very suspicious about someone wanting to buy land facing the West Philippine Sea that can accomodate amd service big vessels, with convenient access to roads. Given the current geopolitical situation, I have a feeling the specifications are better suited for military application rather than commercial use.

Not to be a killjoy, but until a Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, or an official statement is released by the Department of National Defense or the Philippine Air Force, everything being circulated should be treated as speculation. Some people are acting as if they represent KAI, even though much of what they’re claiming doesn’t match what the government can actually approve or fund. PD-415 has not been amended, and no special budget allocation has been approved. Yet people are already declaring the deal done without a single official confirmation from either side.

This is no different from the Malita case, people jumping to conclusions based on assumptions. If the deal falls through, it won’t just hurt the Philippine Air Force’s credibility; it will also expose those who presented speculation as fact. I support the project, but I don’t support twisting information to fit a narrative, sell false certainty, or make any politician or president look good. Stick to the facts, not wishful thinking.

Maging maingat sa pagbasa.

The Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭 Spokesperson, Col. Ma. Christina Basco announced the new air assets to be delivered soon. Which includes the delivery of the additional new FA-50PH Block 70 light fighter jets (first batch is expected by 2028), new C-130J-30 Super Hercules (first unit expected to arrive this year), and more new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, to complete the order of 32 additional S-70i Black Hawks. She also said that the Philippine Air Force is doing their best to make sure that their procurement process is aligned in strengthening their capabilities.

Video from PTV-4

https://youtu.be/RPp2u56YhFE?si=xhhKKh-TxisOIDcN

🇵🇭🇰🇷✈️ | So it's confirmed. The Philippines and the Korean government has reached an agreement for the export contract of KF-21 Boramae with the DND, according to a Korean journalist that MaxDefense asked. The 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force is already a done deal. This is after my recent post about rumors circulating in Korean forums about the imminent contract signing for KF-21s.

The confirmation of the export of 20 units of KAI 🇰🇷 KF-21 Boramae jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭 now classified as a done deal, is very timely as the PAF celebrates its 79th Year. Both sides from the Korean and the Philippine officials will announce the deal soon, according to sir Max. It was reported earlier that the Korean government, through the Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) will finance the 70% share of the total contract value, while the Philippines will release the 30% of the funding. The expect contract is worth KRW3 trillion (US$ 2 billion), and the initial deposit is worth PHP18 billion.

This will be the second deal with KAI after the acquisition of additional 12 FA-50 Block 70 fighter jets, under the Marcos Jr. administration. Which includes the establishment of a local MRO facility to facilitate the maintenance and upgrades of the KF-21s and FA-50s.

Note: I asked my friend from the DND Press Corps, and his interpretation of the post of MaxDefense of KF-21 being a done deal, means only one thing... Contract Signing.

News from MaxDefense Philippines

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BDD3J8Zug/

Rumors are circulating in Korean forums / discussions that Korea Aerospace Industries 🇰🇷 has won an order from the Philippines, stating that the contract has been awarded to export 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭, citing local defense news in their country .We'll see once it's formally confirmed by KAI and the DND/PAF.

https://youtu.be/ZylPUSVPivU?si=4k4lS0Ks0BsWaQEY

https://m.clien.net/service/board/park/19219415

https://m.bobaedream.co.kr/board/bbs\_view/best/1005000

Source: https://x.com/wuthi11_/status/2072664040846045579

These units are intended for Peacekeeping Operations for our UN blue helmets - https://x.com/Drethegrater/status/2072686106047611183

Source: Embassy of the Philippines in India - FB Post

Korean Export-Import Bank 🇰🇷 (KEXIM) will finance the 70% of the total contract value of the export of 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭, while the remaining 30% funding will be the only share that we will release, according to MaxDefense Philippines' latest post citing Korean industry sources. The expected contract value would be KRW3 trillion ($2 billion), with 15% downpayment of ₱18 billion to start the acquisition. Korean industry sources also believe that the Philippine Air Force has finally selected the KF-21 Boramae fighter jets for the MRF Acquisition Project.

News from MaxDefense Philippines

>"We look forward in continuity of collaboration (🇮🇩🇵🇭), in the years ahead"

The Philippine Navy Chief’s positive statement has given PT PAL some hope that the PN might seriously consider their 60-meter KCR Batch III offer. The deal would also include a Technology Transfer package to support local shipbuilding capabilities in the Philippines.

While some netizens are calling for the DND and Navy to boycott PT PAL over the delays in the additional Tarlac-class LPDs, the Navy leadership seems focused on keeping pragmatic cooperation moving forward.

Source: https://x.com/LembagaKERIS/status/2071939184965914892?s=20

The following sheet provides the current active deployments of Philippine Navy units across the Visayas and Mindanao. Notably, two MPACs from(NFEM) were observed docked in Mactan, an area under the jurisdiction of Naval Forces Central (NFC).

📄Philippine Defense Monitor

According to defense reporter Frances Mangosing, the names of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's two additional new 124-meter Landing Platform Dock (LPD) would be: the BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603), and the BRP Leyte (LD-604), obviously Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s hometowns. The BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603)'s Official Launching Ceremony will be conducted today, June 30, 2026.

Photos from PT PAL Indonesia

https://x.com/i/status/2071830322229203055