The Philippine Air Force has launched the $114 million Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) Acquisition Project. This vital initiative is part of the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP), marking a key advancement in the nation’s defense capabilities. The LRPA project has seen two main contenders emerge: the ELI-3360MPA on an ATR-72 600 platform and the Airbus P-295MPA / ASW.
The Philippine Air Force will significantly enhance its capability to monitor its exclusive economic zone and territorial areas in the South China Sea with the Elbit long-range patrol aircraft, which are based on the Leonardo ATR 72-600 platform. (Picture source: Elbit System and Wikimedia)
With an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) set at $114 million, the project initially plans to procure two maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are aimed at strengthening the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing of the Philippine Air Force, significantly enhancing the nation’s maritime surveillance and intelligence-gathering abilities.
The funding for this ambitious project is sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund, supported by a Multi-Year Contractual Allocation (MYCA) through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) starting in the fiscal year 2021. Notably, three Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) have been issued to financially back the project. These include a 15% initial payment of approximately $17.03 million (PHP 896.4 million), a revalidation of the previous unused SARO, and a substantial 40% second-stage payment.
Following rigorous negotiations and evaluations, Israel’s Elbit Systems has been declared the winning proponent for this project. While the exact product to be delivered remains to be confirmed, the ELI-3360MPA on an ATR-72 platform is highly likely to be the selected model. This choice underscores the Philippine Air Force’s commitment to incorporating advanced technology into its fleet.