Philippines To Acquire Ammunition For Korean-made FA-50 fighters

The Department of National Defense (DND) of Philippines has allotted P106.138 million (US$2.25 million) to purchase ammunition to arm country's brand new FA-50 fighter jets.

The allotted fund will be used for the acquisition of 93,600 rounds of 20 mm ammunition for the Korean-made fighter jets' A50 gun system, local media reports.  

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla said that the amount will be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund, The Philippine Star reported Tuesday.

"Part of the procurement process is the armament system for our FA-50 fighters. This purchase is part of the arms acquisition package for our aircraft," Padilla said.

A pre-bid conference was scheduled yesterday at the DND bids and awards committee conference room in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The winning bidder - who is yet to be announced, will be required to deliver the ammunition within 360 calendar days.

The Philippines bought 12 FA-50s, worth P18.9 billion ($402 million), from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Two fighter jets were delivered on November 2015, and the rest will be delivered in batches until 2017.