Carmela Fonbuena
The project will fund the installation of radar systems in Palawan to cover the West Philippines Sea and old radar sites Lubang and Pasuquin
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is fast tracking the acquisition of air defense surveillance radars from Israel’s Elta Systems so it can monitor intrusions in its air space.
The project worth P2.68 billion ($62.85 million*) will fund the installation of radar systems in Palawan to cover the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea) and old radar sites Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro and Pasuquin Air Station in Ilocos Norte.
“Palawan is a new location but even the old ones have to be restored or we have to build new basing facilities. This is part of the overall capability upgrade. Even without the incidents that came in recent years, this was already programmed,” Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac told reporters on Wednesday, July 9, after a meeting of the Bids and Awards Committee to discuss the project.
The radar systems cover a 350-nautical mile radius, Batac said.
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