Airbus Defence and Space has confirmed that will be offering a variant of its C-295 aircraft for Department of National Defense (DND)’s long range patrol aircraft project. The bid opening for the said project is scheduled on March 14, 10:00 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Right Wing Basement, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
This project has an approved budget for the acquisition of two long range patrol aircraft for Philippine Air Force. These aircraft will provide the Air Force with capability to monitor and patrol Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The reopening of this acquisition project is after a failed bidding mid-2015. Seven firms reportedly participated in the said failed bidding: Saab Asia Pacific, L3 Mission Integratio, IAI Elta Systems, Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Indonesian Aerospace), CASA-Airbus Defense and Space.
Airbus Defence and Space Press Manager for Military Aircraft Kieran Daly confirmed today in an email to Update.PH that they will be offering the C-295 for this project.
The said aircraft has a variant equipped with integrated surveillance systems, including the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) to effectively act as maritime patrol aircraft.
The Philippine Air Force is currently operating three C-295M aircraft as medium lift aircraft.