By Joel M Sy Egco
Manila Times
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) leadership was aware of problems concerning acquisition of the 21 UH-1 helicopters and had rejected most of the amendments to the Terms of Reference (TOR) requested by the supplier, including those that pertain to night vision goggle (NVG) compatibility and the use of VHF FM radios.
A report by the Technical Working Group (TWG) headed by Brig. Gen. Conrado Parra dated July 7, 2014 and addressed to the “Commanding General, PAF” indicated that Rice Aircraft Services Inc (RASI) the supplier of the helicopters in question, sought to amend 22 provisions in the TOR which, sources said, was awkward because the contract was awarded to it on the condition that it would deliver what was required under the TOR.
Parra’s report also declared as “not acceptable” some of the requested revisions while it declared that technical specifications listed in the contract should be followed to the letter.
The helicopters should be NVG-capable “inside and out” but the supplier claimed it could only make the aircraft cockpit NVG-capable.
“NVG compatibility does not only cover the cockpit but also the exterior, which refers to the NVG position light of the aircraft,” Parra said in his report.
With regard to the “VHF FM remove” request, the Air Force official replied: “Not acceptable. This component cannot be removed from the requirement as it is essential to the end-user especially during communications with ground troops.”
Also, the supplier said it can deliver “M23 gun mounts separate from the aircraft” when all the helicopters should have gun mounts when they are to be delivered.
“The TWG maintains that every unit (helicopter) should be delivered in accordance with the Technical Specifications in the (TOR). Hence, all helicopters must have gun mounts installed when delivered in order for (them) to be accepted,” the report said.
Despite the July report, the supplier was still given leeway to deliver the units even when they do not conform with the TOR.
Department of National Defence (DND) insiders claimed a senior official was manipulating the flow of the contract and the deliveries of the questioned aircraft.
“Be reminded that this contract is part of the Armed Forces modernisation programme and the reason why it became an emergency procurement (is that) our troops badly needed helicopters (that) could have been used in the Mamasapano incident,” the source said.
“I pity the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The officials involved already raked in money and what the Air Force got were defective equipment. The PAF could not do anything and just accept what the DND bought for them,” the source added.
The Air Force has accepted eight UH-1D helicopters delivered by RASI and its Canadian partner, Eagle Copters Ltd
Recently, PAF officials demonstrated to the media that two of the units delivered could fly.
“Let us look at the units. It is not an issue whether the helicopters can fly. Of course, they can because they are helicopters, not ships. But what about the other eight? Where are they?” the source asked.
HelicopterUH1
