AFP MODERNIZATION IN FULL SWING, SAYS DEFENSE CHIEF GAZMIN

MANILA, Philippines - After years of delay, the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now in full swing with the initial acquisition of four brand-new combat helicopters and one Hamilton-type ship, and with 138 pending defense contracts for implementation over the next five years.

This was disclosed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in a speech at the awarding ceremony for outstanding cadets for the graduating “Bagwis Class” of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for 2012 at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City Saturday.

“Notwithstanding our present acquisition of military platforms and equipment, our Defense Department and Armed Forces are working speedily on the approval of the contracts for the 138 modernization contracts of our Armed Forces to be implemented over the next five years,” Gazmin said.

He said the deadline for the approval of all of the 138 defense contracts is on July 31, 2012.

Last week, Gazmin presided at the turnover of four combat utility W-3A Sokol helicopters ordered from Poland. The turnover was held at the Air Force City in Clark Field, one of the two major military bases that were converted into productive economic zones with the US bases pullout 20 years ago.

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