Philippines' Flight Simulator Acquisition Bidding Process To Begin In February

The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to start bidding process for its Full Motion Flight Simulator Acquisition Project, next month.

The $5.4 million project, which covers procurement of three modern flight simulators, aims to help the Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots efficiently operate the T-50 fighter jets, according to philstar.com.

The simulators will provide pilots with full sensory experience that can help improve flight instruction, boost proficiency, minimise risks associated with emergency procedures training, lower accidents and also save on aircraft operational and maintenance costs.

The delivery is expected to be in 2017 (600 calendar days to be specific) from the opening of the Letter of Credit (LC), the report said. 

The DND will hold a pre-bid conference later this month at DND BAC Conference Room at the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, in Quezon City, prior to the actual opening of the bids on 10 February 2014.

The PAF is acquiring 12 FA-50 fighters, a light attack variant of Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer to counter airborne threats and train pilots on supersonic high-performance weapons platforms.

Equipped with upgraded EL/M-2032 pulse-Doppler radar, advanced avionics, longer radome, greater internal fuel capacity and a tactical datalink, the multirole fighter is also expected to be used for reconnaissance and surveying, interdiction and disaster response missions.