PAF Looking for Parts Supplier of Cobra Attack Helicopters

12 Oktober 2019

Jordan AH-1 Cobra helicopter (photo : US Army)

MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking for suppliers capable of providing spare parts needed for the replacement and maintenance of the night targeting system (NTS) of its soon-to-arrive Bell AH-1S "Cobra" attack helicopters, of which two units were donated by the Jordanian government.

The PHP45.71 million budget is for the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) for the Parts Replacement Program Phase 1 (PRP1) of the AH-IS Night Targeting System (NTS) of the Cobra Attack Helicopters, per the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

The pre-bid conference is slated on October 15 at 10 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. The deadline for bid submission and the opening is on October 28 at 9:15 a.m. at the same venue.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," said PAF Bids and Awards Committee chair, Brig. Gen. Carlo Bueno N. Buena, in the bid bulletin.

The two Jordanian-donated aircraft are expected to arrive next year as the pilots and crews selected to man the aircraft are still undergoing training.

The Bell AH-1 "Cobra" is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.

A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the "Huey Cobra" or "Snake".

In September 2018, the Department of National Defense and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, signed the MOU during the three-day official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Jordan in September of last year. 

(PNA)