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RP defense against air attacks weak, says PAF
Topic Started: Jun 20 2009, 02:46 AM (6,383 Views)
israeli
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RP defense against air attacks weak, says PAF
abs-cbnNEWS.com
06/19/2009 7:03 PM


The chief of the Philippine Air Force on Friday admitted that the country's air defense capability is weak due to limited radar capability and a small Air Force fleet of 66 operational aircraft.

PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena said most of the 66 operational aircraft are UH-1H or Huey helicopters. The PAF fleet includes a number of S211 trainer jets, which are the main assets used for aerial territorial patrol but are sometimes aided by OV-10 bomber planes.

"Our defense is basically at very low level because we only have jet trainer aircraft (for territorial defense) and of course, we have limited capability as far as radars are concerned," Rabena said.

"We have a limited capability (in monitoring foreign aerial intrusions)...We can only cover so much," he added.

But the official said he was optimistic that this weakness will be addressed once the military finishes fighting domestic security threats such as the New People's Army. President Arroyo earlier ordered the military to finish off the communist insurgency before her term ends next year.

"The priority for our government now is really finishing our insurgency problem and so resources are channeled on air assets that will help defeat our enemies, in so far as ISO (internal security operation) is concerned," he said.

"As we improve on our counter insurgency campaign...we then transition to improving our capabilities for territorial defense which means (acquisition of) fighter aircraft, long range radars and maritime patrol air craft."

Rabena is referring to the P350-billion modernization program of the Armed Forces which was approved by Congress as early as 1996. The national government started allocating P5 billion a year for the program four years later.

"Part of the modernization program is acquisition of long range radars and if these will be pre-positioned in strategic areas, then we would cover our territorial air space," the official also said.

Meanwhile, Rabena announced that the Air Force had recently brought back to service a C-130 aircraft, which provides heavy-lift capability to the military. The Air Force now has two C-130s that are operational.

The recently-activated aircraft had undergone refurbishing under the Foreign Military Sales with the United States. He said at least $4.5 million was spent for the aicraft.

A third C-130 is at a storage facility and the Air Force is planning to revive the plane but this may entail a cost of P185 million. Five others remain idle but these are no longer feasible to be repaired.

Rabena said he is eyeing the acquisition of a refurbished C-130 costing P1.7 billion. He said the ideal number of C-130s that should be maintained by the Air Force is four.

C-130s are usually used for the transport of troops to far areas and in the transport of relief goods to areas affected by disasters.
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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israeli
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pardon me for ranting but reports like this just frustrates people like me who pay taxes honestly and expects something in return (i.e. good roads, good schools, good health care infrastructure, a modern and well-equipped AFP):

it goes to show several things:

1. the head of the PAF, just like the rest of the people in the government and the military nowadays, has a losing attitude and is completely short-sighted (i.e. they do not want to do anything to change their current status, when the proper method to things is to actually give both external defense and internal defense EQUAL priority similar to what Colombia is doing, regardless of what some here are saying that the Colombians have the Americans to back them up [if the Colombians were able to enlist the help of the Americans, how come we can't? do we need to have coke plantations or have Osama Bin Laden based in Mindanao just for us to get the full backing of the Americans similar to what they did in Colombia?]).

2. the government and the military keeps on telling that they wanted to end the insurgency soon enough so that they can jump start the building-up of the AFP's external defenses but, still, it is either they remain clueless as to how they wanted to annhilate the NPA, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf and similar groups (shameful enough, the Sri Lankans have more balls in deciding they had enough of the Tamil Tigers that they, simply, defeated them for good unlike our government and military who keep on doing things on a "half-dead snake" approach) or they just do not want the insurgency to end because that is the only thing that "keeps them busy" (i.e. generals, government officials use the insurgency as a tool for their personal gain).

3. the funds for the modernization of the entire AFP has gone not to its intended purpose but only for the personal gain of several government and military people (no need for proof about this. just take a look at how many government and military officials of the Philippines, the only mostly Christian nation in Asia but, ironically, also its most corrupt, live lavish lifestyles amidst the grinding poverty that exists within the rest of the country).

4. the AFP has become completely become a mere employment agency because it only exists to "give jobs" (i.e. funds are slated more for "allowances" and "salaries", but, sadly, much of it goes unaccounted for, no thanks to the culture of extreme corruption that persists within the military) instead of having its funds focused MOSTLY on weapons and equipment acquisition and maintenance.
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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SnivraD
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Quote:
 
Rabena is referring to the P350-billion modernization program of the Armed Forces which was approved by Congress as early as 1996. The national government started allocating P5 billion a year for the program four years later.

This is erroneous, there is no such thing or amount P350-Billion mention on Republic Act 7898 (RA 7898) or the AFP Modernization Act of 1995.
Quote:
 
"The proposed program shall be based on a ceiling, for the first five (5) years, of Fifty billion pesos (P50,000,000,000): Provided, That thereafter, this amount may be increased commensurate to the increase in the Gross National Product (GNP)."
And neither our GNP is getting better since then.

WE need to prioritize everything with our economy going south and internal security still no where to be solve as expected. Our problem is not the gov't and the economy, is the crocodile and parasite politician, we - the people chosen to manage. And we just got exactly what we want, we chose the fox to watch the hen house. The Gov't we have is the gov't we deserve! So the next time better make it right, but the question is "Is there any better choice out there anyway?" Is a lazy dog any better than the quick fox?
"Nobody tears my city apart and gets away with it." - Superman
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Marschall
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But the official said he was optimistic that this weakness will be addressed once the military finishes fighting domestic security threats such as the New People's Army


Great! So this could mean like...in 3-4 more decades by earnest?

:headbang:
"THE BEST PARENT AND GUARDIAN OF LIBERTY AMONGST MEN IS TRUTH" ~ Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei

“When learned men begin to use their reason, then I generally discover that they haven’t got any.” - G. K. Chesterton

MSantor is not a man of sound reason. Savages have always preferred the club for they know that they are powerless against the pen. But who is the greater fool - the savage or the one that gives him power? May Truth rebuke you.
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C.C.
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israeli
Jun 20 2009, 03:03 AM
2. the government and the military keeps on telling that they wanted to end the insurgency soon enough so that they can jump start the building-up of the AFP's external defenses but, still, it is either they remain clueless as to how they wanted to annhilate the NPA, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaf and similar groups (shameful enough, the Sri Lankans have more balls in deciding they had enough of the Tamil Tigers that they, simply, defeated them for good unlike our government and military who keep on doing things on a "half-dead snake" approach) or they just do not want the insurgency to end because that is the only thing that "keeps them busy" (i.e. generals, government officials use the insurgency as a tool for their personal gain).

Right, for career boosting. tsk tsk tsk
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Ay put&! Nahulog....................
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SnivraD
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israeli
Jun 20 2009, 03:03 AM
pardon me for ranting but reports like this just frustrates people like me who pay taxes honestly and expects something in return (i.e. good roads, good schools, good health care infrastructure, a modern and well-equipped AFP):

There are two underlining principles of Democracy (democrazy-Philippine style), Citizens have equal access to power; we have opportunity to chose and select our representative to manage our Gov't, in which we repeatedly failed, second all citizens enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties, in which we I think we abuse. Freedom is not free, our heroes has sacrifice their lives, and would only die in vain knowing what the heck was going on to our nation. We have to do our share, it is our responsibility to choose the right leader, and the kind of country we want for the greater good of all. Now look what kind of system we have in place? Political dynasty everywhere, celebrity politician, dummy party-list representative, businessmen politician, contractor-politician, you name it, hell you got it! And what else do you expect from all these crooks? And why do all these crooks are in the gov't? Simply because we allowed it!
And do we have a choice for a better public servant around the corner? Back then early days of mobilephone, only Smart and Globe with no choice but having tied-up by their crooked service and skyrocketed prices, but since ever-demanding growing consumer wants better service at a lesser price, you now enjoy changing your cellphone whenever you want at a price even kids can afford. And why not demand a better service and scrap the old crooks in politics. No good candidate around? A demanding consumer creates a better product. Is it really that hard? Let us shape the politics in this country not the politician shaped us, because we have the ultimate choice and limited time offer.
"Nobody tears my city apart and gets away with it." - Superman
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saver111
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DATE: June 24, 2009
PRESS RELEASE

24 June 2009

PAF HOLDS AIR POWER SYMPOSIUM ‘09

Undersecretary to Defense Affairs, Hon Antonio C Santos Jr was Keynote Speaker in today’s opening ceremony for Air Power Symposium (APS) ’09 hosted by Air Force Chief Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP. The annual convention is being held for the first time at the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. The daylong event started at 7:00 o’ clock this morning with the theme “Enhancing Operational Responsiveness Amidst Emerging Challenges and Opportunities”. AFP Chief of Staff, Gen Victor S Ibrado AFP is Guest of Honor during the Closing Ceremony.

In 1982, the PAF and the PAF Flying School initiated holding of the first Air Power Symposium with the intention to examine why Philippine Aviation Industry did not develop unlike its ASEAN neighbors. Another one was held in 1984 adopting the theme, “Self Reliance: The Key to the Development of the Philippine Aviation Industry”. The event was not held until in 1990 when the PAF collaborated with the Philippine Exhibition Services Organization, Inc to hold APS ’90 that highlighted the challenges and prospects of civil aviation and aviation-related activities. Foreign participants were included in APS’90.

There had been no conventions until year 2000 and since then it is held annually as part of lined up activities in celebration of the yearly PAF anniversary.

Like earlier conventions held, Air Power Symposium ’09 advocates spreading Air Power philosophy and steadfastly campaigns for the use of Air Power for national security and development. Resourced speakers will present and discuss crucial perspectives and standpoints on Air Power.

The holding of Air Power Symposium ’09 is part of the month-long series of activities that will culminate in a formal program marking the 62nd Air Force Anniversary on July 1, 2009.

http://www.paf.mil.ph/hq/pio/PR%20JUNE%202...0APS%202009.htm


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Justice for Daniel Lorenz Jacinto

HELP END PIRACY NOW!:
http://www.itfseafarers.org/petition.cfm
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Marschall
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PAF HOLDS AIR POWER SYMPOSIUM ‘09


such unbelievable cynicism...
"THE BEST PARENT AND GUARDIAN OF LIBERTY AMONGST MEN IS TRUTH" ~ Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei

“When learned men begin to use their reason, then I generally discover that they haven’t got any.” - G. K. Chesterton

MSantor is not a man of sound reason. Savages have always preferred the club for they know that they are powerless against the pen. But who is the greater fool - the savage or the one that gives him power? May Truth rebuke you.
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saver111
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It's one way of studying, evaluating and comparing what we have from our neighbours. In other words, a reality check!

I believe what the outcome and findings of this symposium will be presented to those concerned. Something like a wake up call. Remember 2011 is nearby, they need the time for decision making. :armywink:
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Justice for Daniel Lorenz Jacinto

HELP END PIRACY NOW!:
http://www.itfseafarers.org/petition.cfm
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Capt.Cody
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Air Power haha such funny words in PAF
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