Philippine Defense OSINT

YouTube video by DI's Way Sosok di Balik Kapal Selam Tanpa Awak dan Kapal Perang Merah Putih Buatan PT PAL

Video source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v9k...

First Photo from Ronggeng Bajol at FB

Some shots of the progress of the LD-01 (first LPD currently on order) with PT PAL during an interview with their CEO.

It's hard to know what each color code means, but it's presumable that the orange blocks are ready to be assembled. No timelines were mentioned on est delivery, but est. is 2026

Based on these images, JS Sendai (Abukuma Class) seems to be undergoing decomissioning. A lot of the sensors (air, surface, navigational radar) have been removed, even the 76mm has been removed. Phalanx CIWS seems to be partially dismanteled, and ASROC covered.

Photos by u/AndrewDGreat of reddit

Based on the MYCA particulars for the TASS Acquisition of Rajah Sulayman Class OPVs, the three TASS units will have to be certified through Sea Acceptance Test for all 6 ships.

2/x

A SARO has been released for the amount of Php240m, "To cover the funding requirements for the Weapons and Sensors System Upgrade for the Offshore Patrol Vessel Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy..."
1/x

A great infographic by @Drethegrater at X. In a matter of a little over a decade, we go from zero SSM/Torpedo/SAM capable ship to 17 - assuming armed Abukumas and +2 more Pohangs.

And if the GdP and Rajah Sulayman can be armed, that's +9 more.

YouTube video by EPML Flight & Spotting S-70i Black Hawk SP-YVK / #123 / 759 /First Flight / Philippine Air Force / EPML Mielec / 25.08.2025

A new S-70i for the #PhilippineAirForce has been spotted performing flight tests over at PZL Mielec's facility in Poland.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9cy...

The second ATR-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (tail # 1713) has been spotted in Turin, likely as part of testing before delivery to the #PhilippineAirForce

📸 TurinSpotter @ jetphotos

It's difficult to make out other features with the ongoing construction.

Below is the comparison (zoom unchanged) with the 123m BRP Tarlac that is in the same facility, undergoing MRO.

The National Expenditure Program 2026 has been released, and shows that the proposed Revised AFP Modernization budget is Php40B (+5B), and Unprogrammed Php50B (+10B).

Third photo shows @maxmontero.bsky.social 's compilation of previous years NEP & GAA data.

PNA: One of the five newly acquired S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters of the Philippine Air Force is blessed during the acceptance, turnover, and blessing rites at the Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Wednesday (Aug. 13, 2025). Photo courtesy of the PAF

www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=...

YouTube video by EPML Flight & Spotting S-70i Black Hawk SP-YVI / #122/758 / First Flight / Philippine Air Force / EPML Mielec / 08.08.2025

Since the latest batch of S-70i had arrived, another S-70i was spotted performing flight tests in Poland's PZL Mielec facility.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkY0...

There's a huge chance that the base to be developed for fast-attack boats will be the Oyster Bay Naval Detachment in Palawan. This site has seen significant improvements over the past decade, and is currently being utilized for "fast-attack boats" of the Philippine Navy.

Namely, these are the Leonardo Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS), which includes the countermeasure dispenser (CMD), missile warning system and radar warning receiver.

These are important equipment to help with survivability in the event of a conflict.

With the significant bump in the budget, even when considering inflation, hopefully a lot of the subsystems that were left off from the first batch will be included in the next 6 units.

📸 Maxdefense

Another video as Diego Silang FFG-07 was spotted, likely conducting sea trials in preparation for delivery soon to the #PhilippineNavy. Based on initial reports, the expected delivery will be around September 2025.

📸 Youtube: 이유충합판그림조각가

The interesting bits:
3/x

-PA Aeromedical Helicopter (Bell 412EPX) is awaiting implementing arrangement with Canada gov, for G2G
-PN Fridate (Full Complement) Lot 1 - Platforms w/ Launchers for Neg. Proc., waiting SND Approval. Php34B budget
-PN ASW Helicopter. SND Approved Neg. Proc. for Php42.29B ABC
2/x

The latest Procurement Monitoring Report has now been released. With some new updates and additions to the report:
-PAF Additional FA50 Aircraft now shows the contract signing date to be June 2, 2025
-PAF Presidential Aircraft with a budget of Php8.8B, for finalization of ToR
1/x

The biggest problem with the KC-130J is likely the long lead time for deliveries, like how the current order for C-130J-30s is taking a long time.

There may be an opportunity for Embraer to provide a great alternative for this requirement.

Especially with how stingy and difficult budgeting would be, it's highly likely that the candidates here are the latter two, with a lot of benefits in choosing the KC-130J - with STOL, the PAF having great familiarity of the platform, and FMS/FMS options.

Pending any details on what the potential A2A Refueler the Philippine Air Force wants, the likely candidates here are the Airbus A330 MRTT, Boeing KC-46A, Lockheed Martin KC-130J and the Embraer KC-390.

Considering costs and runway conditions, the first two are highly unlikely

Interesting shots of what seems to be most of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing assets in Villamore Airbase. The only aircraft missing, I think, is the Gulfstream G280 "Command and Control Aircraft".

📷 www.flickr.com/photos/gulfs...

"This is ex US Army C-23B 88-01869/ N319WW at Coolidge, AZ. It was kept in AMARC for the Philippine Army, but I guess that fell through."

📷 www.flickr.com/photos/scott...

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on June 12, 2025 with a parade of various equipment and special performances.

www.facebook.com/TheManilaTim...

Masterplan image c/o MaxDefense

Here's the latest update of the construction progress for the New Mactan Naval Base, as part of the bigger masterplan for the entire area. Currently, only Phase 1 (where construction is ongoing) is ongoing, and no updates available yet on when the next phase can start.

Philippines buys 12 more FA-50 jets from Korea Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has signed a $700 million agreement with the Philippine Department of National Defense to supply 12 FA-50 light combat aircraft by 2030, according to South Korea’...

Philippines buys 12 more FA-50 jets from Korea

defence-blog.com/philippines-...

Images of the launching ceremony of the future BRP Rajah Sulayman PS-20, with (per MaxD) a Leonardo SPS-732 radar. Noticeable as well are the 76mm main gun, some mounts for manual machine guns, and what seems to be a space for VLS SAM (w/ reloading crane)

www.news1.kr/industry/gen...