Understanding the Nature of Maritime Domain Awareness

The Philippine Navy currently needs more vessels to uphold its mandate as a maritime branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Also, its Coast Guard counterparts badly need the same thing on their own fleet. And with these concerns underly the basic point of this discussion matter that primarily aims to understand the nature of it with regards to securing the waters.

HEADLINE REPORTS

Flight III Pohang-class Corvettes. Take note that the Philippines
will be about to have ROKN Chungju soon. From Wikimedia Commons

The topic about Maritime Domain Awareness varies from internal defense issues up to territorial-based ones. All of it pertains to the necessity of protecting the waters surrounding an archipelagic nation like the Philippines.

For instance, the recent clash between the government and the Abu Sayyaf group in an unlikely place like Bohol gave necessary importance to the discussion of having internal Maritime Domain Awareness, wherein in intelligence discussion that this article cited, military improvements are needed in a sense that additional naval assets gave a boost in improving maritime security, in which it was currently covered by the Philippine Navy's own Modernization Program called the Sail Plan, in which it addresses the areas of the maritime branch that needs improvement.

Another example is the so-called harassment by the Chinese against the Filipino fishermen over the disputed area in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) called "Union Banks". Verification was made by the Philippine Navy where in that matter one is indeed unsure about the identities of these said Chinese harassers whether it may be their Navy or Coast Guard. That also suffices the necessary understanding of the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and its necessity where enhancing maritime security is a high priority for that matter. 

Also to take note, multiple incursions took place along the waters surrounding the Philippines that are covered under this topic. From the border with Taiwan in the Bashi Channel down to the Sulu Sea as well as from the West Philippine Sea to the Benham Rise in the East, it was shown that enhancement of maritime security upon these matter as well as emphasizing MDA in the sense that incursions really are being informed as far as present needs are concerned.

These being said, both the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are keen on modernizing fleets as well as increasing the number of gray and white hulls respectively to further fulfill their mandates to protect the nation's coastline as well as improving maritime security as well as Maritime Domain Awareness. And in line with these things, here are some of the recent progress of both organization's vessels procurement in which it hopes that mandates are to be fulfilled. But before we proceed there, let us discuss the very definition of Maritime Domain Awareness or MDA.

DEFINITION

Realizing Global Maritime Surveillance. From the Global Economic Symposium

The Maritime Domain Awareness, as interpreted by International Maritime Organization, is written as follows:

"The effective understanding of any activity associated with the maritime environment that could impact the security, safety, economy or environment."

Moreover, it is also good to know that Navies like those of the United States also have their own concept over the Maritime Domain Awareness in the form of a document that can be downloaded here. 

Apparently, the concept made by the United States Navy gives a background about it, wherein the respect to maritime security, securing commercial routes as well as coming up with the constant change of needs in maritime waters ranging from disaster relief to unconventional enemies are a necessity that each and the maritime nation has a role to play upon. 

That being said, concerning the examples given above, the Philippines in its sad state needs to improve through the basis of implementing the modernization program that is currently taking place. Moreover, the definition as per basis also from the US Navy document also gives emphasis on timely, accurate decision making based on a continuous flow of information either it may be an intelligence report or a distress call where a necessary decision has been made whether it may be neutralizing the enemy or rescuing those who trapped in a conflict.

Also to take note, the Philippines in fact also have this development, coming in the form of the National Coast Watch System or NCWS, wherein apparently, it aims to have an effective MDA ranging from the piracy-infested Sulu Sea to the rest of the country. 

However, emphasis is badly needed that systems like this shall be improved where the activities aforementioned like more vessels as hoped, will be enhanced further. Now, let us discuss the recent developments regarding this matter.

THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Philippine Coast Guard's newest vessel, the Parola-class MRRVs
like the BRP Malabrigo. Via Pacific Sentinel

In line with their respective modernization efforts, both the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard are making a move on procuring more vessels to keep up with the mandate of protecting the archipelagic coastlines from various threats in the sense that its nature becomes complex considering that aside from territorial-based threats involving large ships, it also shall deal with internal threats especially on the cases of piracy and insurgency. 

National Coast Watch System

The first fundamental to have for an effective MDA is a coast watch system. In this case, the Philippines is obtaining it, coming in a form of the National Coast Watch System (NCWS), wherein its purpose aims to have much, secure territorial water within an archipelagic nation in which the Philippines consists of.

Referencing the Indo-Asia-Pacific Defense Forum article, the writer whose identity is within the ranks in the Philippine Navy, emphasized that a system or mechanism such as NCWS is a necessity to protect marine wildlife, environment, natural resources, and the domain it coincides wherein apparently, the main goal is to resolve various maritime issues as per this discussion matter. 

The NCWS was started as an executive order effective that went effective way back in the year 2011, in which it adheres to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, itself being the very basis that made the Philippines made victorious on an arbitral tribunal where the Chinese Nine-Dash line was declared illegal in nature. 

Apparently, it was started as the Cabinet Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs or CABCOM-MOA before it was renamed as Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs or CMOA. Eventually, as the NCWS was formed, it adopted the roles of CMOA in the hopes that the new system will cope up with the necessity of an effective MDA.

Moreover, the NCWS comes up with a vision whereupon summation, it simply aims to be a global maritime nation wherein maritime resources can be freely enjoyed by stakeholders like the national, regional, local, private sectors and international partners where in that sense, there will be no worries for anybody concern like the fishermen to gather up resources in the sea which it matters with their livelihood as well as those who are in shipping practices and the like. 

Also, like the US Navy interpretation on MDA, the NCWS aims to have an inter-agency information-sharing mechanism that is by nature institutionalized where decision-makers enable to monitor situations to make necessary actions upon the matter.

At present, its organization consists of secretaries from various Executive Departments of the Philippines with the NCWS chairman being the executive secretary. 

More so in that matter, the NCWS have coordination with regards to the information with different agencies in which it includes the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard as well as the others concerned both local, national and international. In that sense, maritime contacts among other foreign maritime enforcement alongside local stakeholders are as well essential to keep the waterways safe.

To summarise this up, the Philippines through the NCWS aims to be a leading maritime nation wherein governing the maritime domain is a necessity in the sense that Maritime Domain Awareness will be enhanced. With that goes hopes that this system will get improve as time goes by.

Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy is currently looking for more vessels, both old and new, to be in its fleet. At present, the ships that it obtained for the last five to seven years include the Del Pilar-class Patrol Frigates, Tarlac-class LPDs, the Australian-imported Balikpapan-class vessels, and several others.

Recent developments about more assets go by with the latest focusing on the Philippine Navy's interest in procuring a Pohang-class corvette from South Korea in which the said vessel is said to be named as "ROKN Chungju" or PCC-762. 

Apparently, the said vessel comes as a welcoming addition to the Navy, in which the antisubmarine capabilities it obtained, may help the Navy servicemen to enhance their capabilities as preparation for the arrival of the Brand New Frigates, which is also from South Korea. 

These capabilities are also a good thing for Maritime Domain Awareness to have where information about surface vessels is not only the matter for territorial water security, but also it pertains to what lies underwater where maritime security is further ensured out.

More unto this, the Philippine Navy is keen on having more vessels where it seems to be straight out of mere desperation where with increasing incursions, so does the need for enhancing MDA. 

In that case, various reports suggest about the Navy's calling or planning to procure the Australian Adelaide-class Frigates in which it was also getting interested from both Taiwan and Poland as well whereas per discussion in the past, these ships, being in a class similar to the Oliver Hazard Perry-class Frigates, are to be considered as gas guzzlers in the sense that the Royal Australian Navy reportedly operating the ships at the cost of $279,235 a day. That is if it includes the highly-paid salaries as well as the so-called superannuation or benefits for that matter. Might as well consider the role of the ship as combat ships rather than as patrol ships as per this article. 

That being said, it may be different to the ships that are deemed patrol in nature wherein that sense, presence is also a necessity in such a way that being part of Maritime Domain Awareness, a presence of any vessel like Offshore Patrol Vessels is enough to show that such part of territorial waters are enforced and within national jurisdiction. And speaking of offshore patrol vessels, there is also one project or plan that has about this matter.

Introducing, the Portuguese Corvettes. The said ships pertain to both Joao Coutinho and Baptista de Andrade-class corvettes that are all variants of Spanish Descubierta-class Corvettes. Apparently, there are no confirmed channels as per it aside from one defense outlet which primarily discussed the possible transfer. That being said, inspections as per reports are said to be ongoing, where there are no updates about that matter at the time of this article's posting. In this, all of it remains to be seen until an update, if it seems necessary, shall be made.

There is more for the Navy to procure as per Sail Plan in which goes in line with an effective Maritime Domain Awareness. That which, may go in line with the larger AFP Modernization Program which also deals in improving other fields like the Philippine Air Defense System or PADS. 

This goes with the hope that the Philippine Navy shall enhance its capabilities considering that the nation is archipelagic in geography where the vast territorial waters being the front lines.

Philippine Coast Guard

Like the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard is also keen on having new vessels, in the hopes that it can further do its mandate of defending the Philippine coastlines as well as enforcing local maritime laws to its jurisdiction in which in itself supplements for an idea for Maritime Domain Awareness.

The coast guard recently takes deliveries from Japan as part of a loan supplementing 10 multi-role response vessels or MRRVs. This is the Parola-class patrol vessel where BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) in itself is a lead vessel. 

Also to take note, other ships of the same class as per the posting of this article are in the coast guard inventory. These ships are the BRP Malabrigo (MRRV-4402) and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403). 

In this manner, the coast guard is still expecting the remaining seven vessels of the same class in which at present is still in Japan where it is still under production. It will take time until all of the 10 multi-role response vessels are delivered which will complement the other ships that are already in service within the organization.

Aside from the Parola-class patrol vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard has also opted for larger ships that are also from Japan. To be specific, it pertains to the 92m vessels wherein it may be far more capable than the MRRVs especially on deployment beyond the coastline. 

If all goes well, it will be complementing other vessels in which in particular, the 10 multi-role response vessels coming from the same nation these ships will be built. Apparently, there is little news as for it at present aside from last year's articulation, but one hopes that it will be materialized as well alongside the already-in-process MRRVs.

Japan is not only the source for the Philippine Coast Guard vessels. France may also be the source of coast guard vessels as Coast Guard officials inspected these 24m vessels which are considered brand new just like its Japanese counterparts and it comes up with four units. Moreover, the coast guard also opted for a single 82-meter vessel from the said country which makes the overall ships planning to procured to five units. The said 82-meter vessel pertains to OPV 270 MKII which is one of the products showcased by the French company OCEA in Euronaval 2014. Given the missions of the OPV, it may seem to be one of the ideal ships the coast guard is keen to have where it will further enhance not only its capabilities but as well its mandate to conduct wherein it improves Maritime Domain Awareness.

From a warship forum.

To summarise this up, the coast guard, just like the navy is keen to have more vessels in which it also aims to protect and enforce maritime laws in the coastline in the sense that setting up jurisdictions is a necessity to ensure that anybody who passes by the waters adheres to the laws which make them safe as well as having privilege on gathering resources legally for livelihoods. Furthermore, more white hulls coincide with non-provocative presence where it coincides with sovereign rights just like the navy ships. All of which, may improve, enhance and make the nation's Maritime Domain Awareness a great standard.

THINGS TO PONDER

Given the recent situations such as the Chinese provocative actions against Filipino fishermen as well the unnoticeable passage of insurgents within territorial waters, it may be as good to say that these are the demoralizing moments there is that the nation's Maritime Domain Awareness is still not fully capable in these said areas where there may be more situations like this to come. 

However, there are still hopes that it will all be far improved where agencies involved will be immediately deployed in due time. Take this bid bulletin for North Luzon's Coast Watch Station for instance alongside the incoming vessels for the coast guard and the navy. The said incursions, mishaps, and harassments, as once hoped, might be diminished if all goes well for the Maritime Domain Awareness. That is, upon the necessary things and factors per se are already in their respective place.

THE CATCH

The Archipelagic Baseline, serving as a guide for Maritime Domain Awareness.

The whole point of Maritime Domain Awareness is that it is deemed an essential thing for the Philippines to improve where through the so-called National Coast Watch System being enjoined together with the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard and their additional assets that presence, as well as maritime security, will be improved wherein people concerned like the fishermen in the sea will be safe from any various threats like foreign elements in the disputed sea, the sailors being safe from piracy in the Southwestern Philippines, and some others, wherein the instances that there will be no more worries about the said threats. 

In that effectiveness. as well as the enhancement that the maritime security and the rules it coincides may prevail that the Philippines, through these secured waterways and better information as per maritime situations and the institutional way of disseminating it, will further improve its economy that in the end, all of those who rely on these maritime waters will be benefited a lot.

(c) 2017 PDA, revised 2021 edition. 

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BRP Tarlac Post-Collision

The BRP Tarlac is one of the largest ships in the Philippine Navy where it can carry up to 500 troops and conduct amphibious operations. However, a situation caused it to somewhat dented a bit to the very hull that rethinks the way of defending them. Just wondering that it comes with a question: "What is it today? Is it that totally fixed?" Albeit the fewer reports, but this topic will simply make an assurance where things are deemed alright.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Russian navy personnel aboard RFS Varyag while BRP Tarlac is in
the background. From Arjhay Tabios, DefensePH FB Group Page.

The BRP Tarlac is one of the largest ships the Philippine Navy has at present where its sister-ship BRP Davao del Sur is on its way from PT PAL Indonesia where these ships were made. They are categorized as Landing Platform Docks designed for deploying and conducting amphibious operations as well as command and control platform during the war and being a floating hospital as well as a support logistics platform in times of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) situations. These features in which may find helpful not only for the navy but as well for the government where it will serve the country in various features aforementioned.

However, months after being commissioned in service, the BRP Tarlac collides with a Tanker named Tosca off the coast of Zamboanga City's Western Mindanao Command where the ship's hull takes minor yet significant damage in which good enough, it only hit the front part of the ship as well as on its sides that dents of the collision are clearly seen after it took place where it is not as worse in the sense that one may worry if the ship was disabled or not.

The dent after the collision. From Philippine Navy via Sunstar Website.

Even after the incident, the Philippine Navy said that the BRP Tarlac despite all of the damages given is still operational at that time wherein its role can still be given out at that period given. Apparently, no one was hurt on that incident. This is a glad thing to see that the ship is still afloat and functioning well in the sense that it is just still months old from being commissioned as one of the largest ships in the fleet that enhances the Philippine Navy's mandate not only to defend waters at battle but as well to further improve its logistics chain which also consists of ships like BRP Tagbanua, the Balikpapan-class LCUs from Australia, among others.

THE WEAPONS OPTIONS AND REPAIR RESULTS

No more dents! From Brylle Osete.

Last year, Indonesian shipbuilder and BRP Tarlac-class maker PT PAL Persero confirms to IHS Janes in ADAS 2016 that rectification works for the said ship will be initiated with the worst-case scenario of major repairs being considered where it will be sent back to Indonesia for it to undertake. So far, as other defense outlets' reports are concerned, it was done in the country with the help of PT PAL technicians where the ship's dents are fixed where the said photos especially the ones during the RFNS Varyag's visit confirms it where various photographers like Arjhay and Brylle capture it to end questions once and for all.

The hull was now fixed. From Brylle Osete.

More unto this, before the ship is seen docked aside with the visiting Russian cruiser, it was seen in Zamboanga in action weeks before wherein this newly-repaired ship was deemed active in its mandate where it was deployed on areas it needs the most. More unto this, several photos about the ship before its docking are out where various individuals managed to take photos where at that time, the said ship was seen clearly off the coast of the city. Also to take note that the collision also took place in the said city that causes minor damage where the point of this topic is taken. This in which, gives a glimpse of where the said ship is active in its duties.

More unto this, it was even shared by one of our contributors in PDA like Je R Ome where the said ship was spotted just off Manila South Harbor Anchorage where it also shows its shape where the dent on the other side was deemed fixed as the way it is before the Russian cruiser visit which has provided harder evidence. These said photos were sent last April 13, 2017. Check them out right here.

In such an incident like a collision that happens to this ship last year, it raises doubts on the overall security of the ship where at present, it was equipped with light weapons like this .50cal machine gun mount where defense-wise, it simply cannot suffice the needs. The deeper meaning lying here is that hard-kill defensive weapons like a dedicated close-in weapons system (CIWS), as well as other weapons suite like a main 76mm cannon, series of decoys, and other defense amenities, are more of a necessity considering that such ship being deployed in the Sulu Sea just like last year needs to defend itself from potential threats where the incident gives a hard lesson to obtain knowledge about such a matter. 

Apparently, arming it with various weapons is planned as a separate purchase or in that case, as a Fitted For, But Not With (FFBNW) provision. And in this, no details are given about it yet aside from the planning as per discussion across defense forums. Hence, the materialization of it remains to be seen wherein it comes with hopes that these ships, being huge military assets of the Philippine Navy, shall be capable of defending themselves where these Landing Platform Docks are too essential to obtain.

THE BOTTOMLINE

The BRP Tarlac, as seen in photos, is already fixed where it was done locally with the help of P.T. PAL Persero. In that, it is already commendable where the hull's integrity was inspected, ensured and the dents repaired where in that is a good thing to see where the Landing Platform Dock is in good condition once again. Moreover, in that coincides one concern, that is the necessity of arming the ship to defend itself as well as the procedures it coincides so that such incident will never happen again. 

That being told, the lessons that are gathered in such a mishap are somewhat a necessary step for the Navy to learn more about the necessary alternative courses of action that will see fit on this matter that in this comes the growth in all degrees from military assets to the personnel skills and better standard operating procedures it coincides or supplements. 

That being said, this is detrimental to the goals wherein lessons are to be gathered, assessed, and integrated. And it is applied not only to the Navy's Sail Plan but also to the AFP Modernization Program in general wherein it lies the hopes and dreams of having an effective deterrence by the year 2028 and beyond.

See also: Philippine Navy's First Landing Platform Dock - The Pitzviews

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The Philippine Army Modernization and Transformation Roadmap 2028

Among the military branches that have the greatest effect with regards to their contributions to the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the personnel forming the Philippine Army may be considered the least known that its different strategic, organizational, and procurement programs are being reported bit-by-bit rather than being part of the organization as one. In this matter, this topic deserves its own discussion.

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
Based on the PDF file about ATR2028

Philippine Army Soldiers in their new uniform. Source

Through the years, the Philippine Army is improving its capability, wherein its soldiers have effectively deployed in the field, enhancing their skills further in combat against insurgent groups like the Communist Sympathizers and the Islamic ones far south, these troops also receive various upgrades wherein due time, enhancing both skills and asset of a specific combatant within the Army in line to its aim to have World-Class armed forces in 2028.

But it was so different in the years before these changes, wherein the organization undertook good governance transformation and improving its organizational structure, a far cry from the past that has plagued with various challenges and controversies, ranging from incompetence to graft, in which if left unsolved, will affect the organization as a whole negatively that it even affects the nation's way of defending itself, not to mention various issues that are disadvantageous to the Army like military adventurism and the revolving door policy which makes a present term for a chief of staff (which is from the Army) short where it affects the leadership in which it also affects the direction of the organization in general. 

These sets of problems have provided a sufficient reason for the Army to revamp the institutional norms and policies, leading to this very roadmap that aims to obtain and uphold a credible, dynamic, responsive, capable, and professional Army, wherein it can be seen as an organization that is committed to deliver and perform its mandate of serving and securing the country and its citizens as what the constitution prescribes it. See more: Article XVI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The Philippine Army, through this transformation roadmap initiative, has seen various progress varying from its performance to its military procurements which is deemed a big difference from what it was administrations before. Speaking of which, this transformation is still in the process where areas from performance, military assets, and organization will be deeply discussed in this article.

PERFORMANCE

A Soldier in Bohol. Via Inquirer.net

Like the rest of the organization within the scope of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the performance among military personnel improves as new assets arrive wherein strategically speaking, it provides a significant improvement as to how they respond wherein various skirmishes and various achievements that we will about to provide may give an insight as for the strategical actions the Army do have at present.

One example is the very recent news about the Abu Sayyaf group who set foot on Bohol as a staging point for kidnapping people, in which it was failed due to the quicker response of the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines against these insurgents with the Philippine Army playing a significant role in the operations, wherein within days, the coordination of all military branches, along with the police and together with the help of the locals, made it difficult for the insurgents to push deeper especially with the death of the one who initiated the attack. 

Another example showing the Army's significant role is with the attacks that took place in Butig, Lanao del Sur, wherein the offensives made it successful to reclaim the town once again from the ISIS sympathizers known as the Maute group as both the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army jointly initiated the offensive where the ISIS plans of establishing in the Philippines got foiled where that in which, the threat remains to be in existence until at present that the people need to be aware so to speak wherein that sense, Maritime Domain Awareness in territorial waters needs to be enhanced following the events about the situations happened in Bohol. 

Performance-wise, the Philippine Army in these recent military operations exhibits exemplary actions where it was immediately carried out and primary objectives have been achieved. Speaking of which, there is more to be done wherein the Transformation Roadmap still has a lot of strategic, organizational, and procurement plans in which it aims to achieve its goals all the way to 2028.

WEAPONS PROCUREMENT

M-113 vehicles the Army's mechanized division obtains.
From PDA archives.

The Philippine Army just like the Air Force and the Navy also have military procurement plans in which it calls to procure different military assets in which it may be seen as essential to the mandate of the Army, as well as to further enhance its strategic capabilities as an organization wherein soldiers in the field may or will have better weapons in which it may give a better edge against the enemy. 

Apparently, the weapons procurement plans in the Army may change from time to time or with little more occurrence than its counterparts within the armed forces in which it may be found difficult for us to disclose all of the weapons as per planning. Here are just some of the projects where it was publicized by the Army and discussed across defense fields.

M-4 rifles

The M-4 rifles were bought by the Philippines. There are around 56,843 units
procured. From Manila Bulletin

This procurement calls to replace older M-16s that the Army obtains with the hopes of modernizing the soldier's primary equipment to enhance its overall performance on the battlefield. 

Apparently, the similarities between these two at around 80% wherein interoperability is deemed possible that spare parts can be interchangeable where logistically speaking, it is deemed efficient. 

The only thing here is that M-4 rifles are produced by Colt wherein the barrel was shortened down to the purpose of having an improved weapons performance in close-quarter combat in which albeit there are shorter-barreled M-16s, they are said to be noisy, as well as being inaccurate where it gives the necessity to develop a new weapon like the M-4. 

In this manner, the said weapons at the first batch back then were inaccurate due to ineffective rear sights where it was then fixed by Remington in the sense that the whole program resumed without a hitch. Hence, the M-4 deliveries back then are completed.

The said weapon upgrades are considered as part of the Philippine Army objective called capability upgrade program or CUP in which it may be said part of the greater transformation roadmap where weapons procurements as well military capabilities upgrades do aim to have a soldier better-equipped in the field than ever before.

Camouflage Pattern for Battle Dress Uniform

Gen. Ricardo Visaya and his new Battle Dress Uniform made by
Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp. (Source)

As the Philippine Army materializes the procurement of military equipment for the troops, it is also a good thing if a new battle dress uniform (BDU) will be introduced. And with that, the Army procures these new sets of new BDUs from the Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp wherein it blends more to the Philippine Environment than the older, dark camouflage pattern.

The Company, Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp is renowned in the field of camouflage technology wherein its expertise was recognized by the United States government. Produced new designs monthly, this company is considered one of the best camouflage experts there is in existence, in which they produce camouflage designs for various countries like Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, and even the Philippines through the Philippine Army. 

Such improvements do change the image of the Philippine Army and its troops as what the Army Transformation Roadmap aims to have to the organization in which this said camouflage design made by a reputable camouflage expert there is may help the troops blend with the Philippine environment which makes it difficult from the adversaries to detect in which a soldier of the Republic may still have a better chance to live another day together with newer military equipment like the M-4 rifle.

Having the new camouflage, the Philippine Army is suited up where aside from battle dress uniforms, the armored personnel carriers like the M-113 are also being incorporated with such a design in a sense that it becomes the thing for the Philippine Army for these vehicles from the mechanized division to be blended to the environment as well as to be in uniform to the way the soldiers have used in which it will be a better thing to get advantage where it makes things much difficult to see if possible therein.

Pitz Defense Analysis Note (05-2019): This camouflage deal with Hyperstealth was replaced with the locally-developed PHILARPAT or the Philippine Army Pattern that can be seen similar to the ones developed by the company. Such a move disappoints Hyperstealth a lot which they post this article about the patents that may be violated from this process. Nevertheless, despite the company's concerns, the PHILARPAT became what is to be the standard uniform for the Army to use, which is an improvement from the previous uniforms they obtain.

Modified M-113s by Elbit

Modified by Elbit, these M-113 Infantry Fighting Vehicles are a plus
against insurgents that using a console, these soldiers can fire
directly at a target safely. From John Chua

Gunners will no longer have a doubt of being shot by an enemy gun while firing with the introduction of a product made by Israeli company Elbit to have the said firepower without any worries of being killed upon in which these weapons are named UT-25 and the Overhead Remote-Controlled Weapons Station or ORCWS.

Signed on June 22, 2014, this modified M-113s at a contract cost of PHP 882 million calls for six UT-25 gunned M-113s and four 25mm ORCWS wherein it really gives the Philippine Army under its Mechanized Division its armor capability that can be used in companion with the soldiers in the field. Apparently, the performance of these armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles for that matter can be shown in this video posted by VJ Norz on YouTube:

These modified M-113s which are equipped with remote-controlled guns makes it safer for a gunner to fire upon a target and hence, eliminating it wherein foot soldiers as complemented with military equipment like this will do their job as effectively and as safely as it is where casualties among the troops will be minimized as well as mounting casualties among others like the insurgents. With this, it is hopeful that in line with the Transformation Roadmap, more of these may be materialized upon the queue of the decision-makers within the ranks.

Land-based Missile System

This project was based on the original Shore-based missile system whereupon taking note as per the fate of this said project, it was back then realigned to Second Horizon in favor of helmets and vests.

The good thing is that, albeit the shelving is still within the priorities of the Army were in that manner, the said project and separated and become two, different projects. That is the renamed land-based missile system which is still a Philippine Army project under the roadmap, and the separate-Philippine Navy version of the Shore-based missile system where the setup is similar to the ones the Philippine Army have. 

All of these are slated by the next horizon which is implemented by next year. Apparently speaking, the possible contender in a project like this is the Israeli Military Industries or IMI and its LYNX MLRS or Multiple Launch Rocket System. Given the interest made in this program, albeit the circumstances that go against the situation like the so-called realignment, the hope is still deemed high that this program will be materialized in the sense that if once available, the Philippine Army will have a boost for its capabilities especially for guided/unguided artilleries like this.

This comparison made by IMI, albeit the bias, seems that
it can prove that the Lynx is a better product to the Phil. Army.

This project as summarised can be seen as one of the big-ticket projects the Philippine Army has where it may be the pinnacle of the Army's capability upgrade program as per the Transformation Roadmap. These in which may still be determined by the certainties and conditions that may be gone favorable as per the way the project materialized upon.

M-71 155mm Towed Howitzers from Israel

Howitzers from Israel are procured by the Philippine Army to improve
field firepower.

These Soltam M-71 Towed Howitzers are offered to the Philippine Army by Elbit which also supplies modified M-113s where it calls for an overall six to twelve units of Soltams in which three of these units will arrive in the following months with the first batch arriving before this month ends.

Apparently, the said procurement program undertakes three bidding procedures, wherein it started in the year 2013 wherein such circumstances upon the first two bid process got failed due to the so-called insufficient bidding documents which do not meet up to the bidding specifications and standards that it is looking. Considering that matter, the delivery of the systems is reported as early as last year as per another defense outlet gives a report about it. 

Even though there are no exact details as per the date when the contract was signed, we may be so glad as well that these artillery pieces will arrive in due time that in the months following by, they will be used not only by the Philippine Army but also by their counterparts in the Philippine Marine Corps where just like any artillery and the role of Philippine Air Force gunships, can be used as support mechanisms where area suppression is deemed needed before the ground troops to proceed and clearing up all the remnants of a certain adversary.

Speaking of which, these said howitzers from Israel may give a boost for the Army and the firepower it needs wherein pulverizing an area filled with insurgents or some adversary for that matter is a necessity to complement with other artillery pieces like the M-114 cannons the Philippine Army have where artillery barrages suppress up the enemy and its defenses.

Pitz Defense Analysis Note: This list as being stated here before is just highlighted to the long list of procurement programs the Philippine Army has where several of those are not disclosed to the public. Moreover, these said programs just like any other thing may be changing without any notice under the discretion of those within the ranks. Also, an update will be made from time to time if any new discussion about this topic arises shortly either in this very article or on our Facebook page.

ORGANIZATION

The Performance Governance System or PGS will be based on
scorecards that assess the areas where the Army sees its
strengths and weaknesses. From ATR2028 WordPress.

This is the main feature where the Army Transformation Roadmap, wherein the organizational format as shown emphasizes the details, in which two things always popped up to this matter that will improve the organization which is in terms of performance excellence and good governance.

In the given timeline of improving the AFP from the Modernization Program to the AFP Capability Upgrade Program (in which all of the weapons procurements mentioned fall under either this category), the Philippine Army through its Transformation Roadmap have its own very program which may help the Army fixed its organizational structure. That is, the Performance Governance System or PGS wherein it is an initiative upon the adaptation of Harvard's Balanced Scorecard Framework which will assess the organization from accounting to military capability through the use of its assets like the ones aforementioned in this article. In the scorecard given, the modernization of the Army where it coincides with its military capabilities is emphasized in Strategic Objective 9 or SO9 of its Performance Measures and Targets. The quotation is given as follows:

For SO9 – “Build and modernize mission-essential capabilities”, the measure is the “percentage of battalions which completed the Battalions of Excellence (BOE) Program.” The BOE Program seeks to build-up and modernization of mission-essential capabilities of Army battalions. Thus, chosen indicator will measure will enable the PA to assess the success of its modernization program. The PA aims to have 100% of its battalions to undergo the BOE Program.

Moreover, it doesn't alone cover the enhancement of capabilities. In such a manner, doctrines about it may also be as important as well given that in it, will do serve as a guide for each and every military personnel as well as decision-makers upon ranks to follow. And with this, the quotation for the doctrine is given as follows:

For SO8 – “Adopt and institutionalize best practices in management, operations, and support system”, the performance indicator is the “Doctrine Development throughput time” or the total amount of time spent in developing a doctrine (from conceptualization to promulgation of manuals). The efficiency in doctrine development will facilitate the adoption and institutionalization of best practices in management, operations, and support system. By 2028, the PA seeks to reduce the doctrine development throughput time to 365 days from 3,248 days in 2010.

In this short and long-term strategies given, it can be said that the Army is deemed promising on the needs given wherein being a major organization within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, an overhaul is deemed needed wherein being as part of an overall modernization it coincides, such institution will further develop as it aims to be.

SUMMARY

The Philippine Army infantry squad as emphasized in its 120th
anniversary. From www.army.mil.ph

In an aim of having a world-class Army, The Philippine Army is together with the Department of National Defense where revamping the very system itself is a necessity where the structure, the capabilities, performance, and governance are meant to get improved in the sense that this major branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will definitely do its mandate to defend the nation from both internal and external threats.

 

Even though being an archipelago which may be seen as a priority for both Navy and Air Force to be enhanced for territorial defense, it does not stop the Army to also improve itself where aside from battling insurgents around, it may also have a role as well in territorial defense in a way that it helps out doing such a mandate in its way which involves up-arming ground troops, artillery and mechanized divisions in a sense that fighting on the country's soil seen as the last line of defense. 

Speaking of which, Modernizing and buying weapons does not stop on one or two branches alone. Instead, as what the Government Budgeting Process sees best, each service branch of the armed forces has the privilege just like any other government agency to propose based on the needs where it's all up on the political will as to whether it may be funded or not. 

Overall, the Philippine Army is deemed optimistic in the sense that in performance and good governance as what the Transformation Roadmap emphasizes, it will be good not only for the organization but also for the country in general in which improved capabilities and proper management are a necessity for a successful defense of the sovereign Philippine Republic.

(c) 2017 PDA, revised 2021 edition. 

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