AFP to acquire P36 M worth of ammo from Minneapolis firm

MANILA, Philippines - The military will acquire about P36 million worth of ammunition from Minneapolis-based firm ATK.

The purchase will be made through the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC).

Military and PITC officials are scheduled to fly to the US on June 15 to conduct a pre-delivery inspection at the ATK’s plant in Missouri.

“The items will be inspected to see if these comply with the technical specifications provided by the military,” Myra Alvarez, PITC vice president for military accounts, said in a phone interview.

The project involves the purchase of 264,662 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition for the General Headquarters and 1,620,204 rounds for the Army.

The bidding for the project was conducted last February.

“Our troops will have enough ammunition to perform their duty. This can definitely help us protect the public from security threats,” Maj. Harold Cabunoc, acting Army spokesman, said of the purchase.

Alvarez gave assurance that transparency would be observed in the purchase of the ammunition.

“Our mandate is to ensure the efficient procurement for the government. We always see to it that everything is transparent and cost-efficient. We always comply with the procurement law,” he said. 

Alvarez said the PITC, which is attached to the Trade and Industry department, has been helping the military purchase its needed supplies since 2003. Initially, the state-run firm helped the military buy medicines for its personnel.

Alvarez said the PITC started helping the armed forces purchase ammunition in 2007.

Equipment upgrade

Meanwhile, the military has also embarked on a 5 billion project to beef up its equipment and upgrade its capability.

Six of the projects will benefit the Navy, while four are intended for the Air Force, and two for the Army. One will benefit the General Headquarters Wide Service Support Units.

The projects include the delivery of a one-ton troop carrier, a two-ton troop and cargo carrier, as well as the upgrade of Jacinto class patrol vessel. Also part of the project is the upgrade of MD520 helicopters.