The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will soon be receiving the final two of three ordered ELM-2288 AD-STAR Air Defense & Air Traffic Control Radar from Israeli ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
MaxDefense said it received “first hand information that the two radars, which were supposed to have been delivered last 2018, will be received by the Philippine Air Force in a very short time.”
The Letter of Credit (LOC) for this radar acquisition under revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program first horizon was opened early 2016. According to the contract, delivery of first unit will be 22 months after the opening of LOC followed by 2nd and 3rd radars with 6 months interval.
The first radar was delivered 4th quarter of 2017.
These radar system are for Gozar Air Station in Mindoro Occidental, Mt. Salakot Air Station in Palawan, and Paredes Air Station in Ilocos Norte. The first radar was installed in Ilocos to cover the northern part of the country.
According to Air Force commander Lieutenant General Rozzano D. Briguez, their radar system already covers the northern portion of the country.
“In nine months time, I think the radar system in Mount Salakot will be up and running,” Lieutenant General Briguez said when asked by Senator Dick Gordon during Senate session on January 16 if the Air Force already has radars to detect Chinese frequencies in West Philippine Sea.
(Mintfo)