The Philippine Air Force (PAF) further fortified its air defense capabilities after formally accepting its first ever ground-based air defense system (GBADS) and a new C-295 MW medium-lift aircraft on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), graced the joint acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony of the GBADS and C-295 MW medium-lift aircraft with tail number "215" at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
Marcos was accompanied by Department of National Defense (DND) Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr.; AFP Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro; Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr., PAF Commanding General; Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss; Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado; and other senior officers of the DND and AFP.
PAF Chief Canlas said the acquisition of GBADS and new C-295 formed part of their ongoing build-up and modernization which was made possible by the “overwhelming support” from the government.
GBADS
The GBADS, or specifically known as the Spyder Air Defense System (SPADS), is a “highly mobile, medium-range, quick reaction, day and night, and all weather” air and missile defense system. It is designed to protect critical installations, land-based fixed assets, mobile platforms, and friendly forces from aerial threats such as combat aircraft, attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), incoming missiles, guided munition, and rockets.
The GBADS is regarded as among the finest and most advanced air defense systems in the world, and in certain cases, it was used to neutralize surveillance threats.
The GBADS was acquired by the DND as part of the PAF’s GBADS Acquisition Project under the Horizon 2 of the revised AFP modernization program. The GBADS batteries arrived in September of this year and was officially turned over to the PAF after undergoing inspection.
“The arrival of the GBADS is a welcome addition, the first of its kind for our air defense capability,” Canlas said.
The GBADS is composed of one state-of-the-art Command and Control (C2) unit, three missile-firing units (MFUs), one missile supply vehicle, and a field service vehicle. The C2 unit serves as the “eyes and brain” of the Spyder battery. Battery refers to the grouping of missile launchers, with each battery consisted of three or more missile launchers. The C2 unit has an embedded battle management system that generates air situation picture by receiving target data from the five controlled radars.
Meanwhile, each of the missile-firing units or launchers of SPADS carries four canisterized missiles that can intercept airborne targets of more or less 50 km. On the other hand, the missile supply vehicle is used to transport and carry eight canisterized missiles and is responsible for loading and unloading missiles from the missile firing units; while the field service vehicle is a mobile truck that provides field maintenance and support equipment to the deployed batteries, carrying the spare parts and the tools.
“With a dependable GBADS, we can ensure that in situations when enemy aerial assets have infiltrated the national territory, a layer of defense is still available to directly protect vital assets on the ground for continuous defense operations,” said Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson.
C-295
Meanwhile, the newly turned over C-295 MW medium-lift aircraft is the sixth of such type of aircraft for the PAF, and second MW variant for them which is the newest generation of tactical airlifter.
It is 24.49 meters long, and boasts of a tail height of 8.15 meters and wing span of 25.81 meters. It has a maximum take-off weight of 23,200 kgs., and is equipped with 65 paratrooper seats. It has also a cruise speed of 480 km per hour, two propellers with six blades, and an 11-hour flight endurance.
The C-295 was acquired by PAF from Spanish company, Airbus Defense and Space, under the Medium Lift Aircraft Acquisition Project. The aircraft arrived last Nov. 1.
“The arrival of another C-295 medium lift aircraft will not only supplement maritime patrols but will also provide much needed airlift support during disasters and calamities,” Canlas said.