‘King Kong’ research ship from US Navy heads for the Philippines

A former US Navy research vessel which was used in a 1976 monster thriller film is on its way to the country as the Philippine Navy’s first oceanographic research vessel.

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The Philippine Navy has formally commissioned into service the 46-year-old US Navy ship to be used for hydrographic surveys and marine scientific research and exploration.

The BRP Gregorio Velasquez was formally turned over by the US Navy to the Philippine Navy last Tuesday in christening and commissioning ceremonies held in San Diego, California. The vessel is expected to arrive in the country in June.

She was formerly the R/V Melville (T-AGOR-14) which was operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.  She was pledged to the Philippines last year.

The 279-feet-long research vessel appeared in the 1976 movie “King Kong” because of its hypoid propulsion drive at that time, which allowed it to move sideways.

As a policy, the Navy names its auxiliary research vessels after national scientists. Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, after whom the ship was named,  was a pioneer in Philippine physiology and was named a National Scientist in 1982.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the ship was due to arrive in the Philippines by the third week of June after setting sail from California on Friday.

The Navy official said the research vessel would be used for hydrographic surveys and marine scientific research and exploration.

“Also, it will enhance our capacity and build our capability to support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of the country for economic purposes,” he said.

Platform for collaboration

“It will also become a platform for interagency collaboration for partners in the academe and thus improve awareness of our subsurface environment,” Lincuna stressed.

In November last year, US President Barack Obama pledged to donate the R/V Melville and the US Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC-719) to the Philippine Navy as excess defense articles.

Commodore Narciso Vingson, deputy commander of the Philippine Fleet and defense undersecretary Jesus Millan, a former Navy flag officer in command, received the vessel.

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Inquirer.net

Philippine Navy, Army in ASEAN drills

The Philippine Navy and Philippine Army will participate in a security and counter-terrorism drill during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting on May 1-12 in Brunei and Singapore.

The Navy’s frigate, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will join the 11-day multilateral exercise among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo.

The spokesperson said the Navy will represent the country in the maritime security drill, while the Philippine Army will participate in counter-terrorism, land-storming and ground operations.

“It will represent another significant moment of participation and commitment by all 18 countries for practical cooperation,” Domingo said.

Joining the 10 ASEAN members are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar will also take part in another drill, the maritime training activity “Seagull” to be held on May 10-17.

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Inquirer.net

Philippine Army has Php 247M for Howitzer ammo

The Philippine Army has earmarked P247 million toward the  purchase of 105mm artillery shells for combat and infantry operations.

In a bid invitation with the Philippine International Trading Corp., the Army said it had allocated P247,835,166.28   for the contract to supply 8,588 rounds of 105mm Howitzer cannon shells.

“That is a regular requirement of our troops in the field. We are advancing our procurement based on projected requirements,” Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said.

Each  round  should cost  P28,858.31 based on the approved contract budget.

Local and foreign manufacturers who would place their bids though foreign manufacturers must be represented by a Philippine-based company.

Bidders may purchase bid documents at  P50,000 at the PITC, NDC Building, 116 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati.

Deadline for submission of bids is May 12 at 10 a.m.

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Inquirer.net

Philippine Airforce opens bid for plane parts

The Department of National Defense (DND) is purchasing P40-million worth of spare parts and ground equipment for its three brand new C-295 Airbus medium lift aircraft.

The DND made the announcement as it opened the P40.2-million contract to bidders who had completed two contracts similar to the project in the last five years.

The contract involves the purchase of 47 line items of aircraft ground support equipment as additional integrated logistics support for the C-295 aircraft.
 
Project funds will be sourced from the military’s Modernization Act trust fund.

In 2015, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) received three C-295 aircraft delivered from Spain by Airbus Defense and Space.

The three aircraft cost P5.3 billion.

The first plane in arrived in March 2015, with the second coming in September and the third in December last year. The PAF’s 220th Airlift Wing operates and maintains the aircraft.

The C-295 Airbus is categorized as a medium lift aircraft, similar to the Fokker F-27 of the 220th Airlift Wing.

It can carry up to 20,000 pounds of cargo, or 71 passengers, 50 paratroopers and 24 stretchers with seven attendants.

A pre-bid conference will be held on April 29, at 10 a.m., at the DND bids and awards committee conference room in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Bidders have until May 11 to submit their bids, while the winning bidder would have to deliver the items within 60 days.

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Inquirer.net