Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has signed a five-year agreement with Italian DefenseMinister Giampaolo Di Paola that will expedite the procurement from the Italian defenseindustry suppliers.
"This arrangement will help expedite the procurement from Italian defense industry suppliers with the help of our counterparts at the Italian Defense Ministry of Defense,"
Gazmin said.The signing of the arrangement highlighted the Defense Chief’s travel to Italy last January30, 2012. The agreement is valid for five (5) years from signing and will be automaticallyextended for another five years unless there is a written notice of intention to terminate.
The Defense Chief noted that this move will help in the implementation of the AFPModernization, a primary thrust in the Aquino administration.Gazmin however clarified that the said arrangement does not necessarily equate to ctualprocurement, but rather a system put into place for future transactions.
Secretary Gazmin was accompanied by Defense Acquisition System (DAS) Teams toinspect the proposed combat ready defense materiel, which include the Maestrale andSoldati class deep patrol water vessel, the Piaggio 180, a single platform defense materielwith capabilities to perform as special mission aircraft, light lift aircraft and long range patrolaircraft.Also inspected were the medium lift tactical aircraft C27J, Italian Navy Coast Watch and AirDefense 3d Radar Systems, AMX ground attack aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)Falco and Armored personnel carrier.
"This arrangement is a result of our efforts to explore any and all avenues for a more efficient procurement process for our Modernization Program," Gazmin said.Included in the discussion was a presentation on an Information Technology System or datafusion system that will allow data inflow/outflow and integration from any defense materialplatform available to mission personnel level up to the level of the Commander-in-Chief.
The system can also provide for enhanced defense awareness for the AFP that can be sharedwith its civilian counterparts when needed.The Government to Government arrangement includes a service agreement and training ofAFP personnel to ensure the medium and long term effectiveness of the defense materielthat might be procured by the Department from Italy.
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“We would like to assure the Filipino people that all possible negotiations are premised within the national government’s established ideals of transparency,accountability and good governance,”
Gazmin said.The Philippines already acquired eighteen basic trainer aircraft from Alenia Aermacchi, anItalian company known for its design, production and support of military training aircraft. Alleighteen units were delivered as of 2011.Opportunities for cooperation under the Public-Private Partners will be discussed for aircraftmaintenance, shipbuilding or repair, and other defense materiel.
"We constantly seek ways for the improvement of our capability to address the threats we face, including disasters and other non-conventional threats to national security,”
Gazminsaid.
“We will carefully evaluate the procurement of defense materiel, taking in consideration the benefits to the country and the resources at hand.”
