Philippines receives US approval for potential sale of riverine boats, weapons and equipment

A Riverine Assault Boat of the US Navy. Photo c/o The Drive.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has posted a notice stating that the US State Department has approved the potential US Foreign Military Sales (US FMS) of riverine boats, firearms and other equipement for the Philippine Army (PA), in a deal estimated to be worth US$126 million.

The US Congress has been notified of the potential sale for their approval.

Among those included in the deal are 36 9-meter Scout Boats, 36 10-meter Assault Boats, 18 16-meter Light Support Boats, 36 units of Forward Looking Infra-Red FLIR 280HD, 24 units M2A1 .50 caliber heavy machine guns, 36 M134D 7.62x51mm gatling guns, and 156 units M240B 7.62x51mm machine guns.

Also included are 399 AN/PVS-14 Night Vission Goggles and AN/PEQ-15 IR Lasers, 102 handheld Thermal Imager Scopes, 210 units AN/PAS-13 heavy Thermal Weapon Sights, 90 units Harris Falcon III RF-7850M vehicle radios, 270 units Harris Falcon III RF-7850S handheld radios, spare parts, safety and rescue equipment, training, technical services and assistance, logistics and other related elements.

The sale is in support of US foreign policy and national security by assisting and improving the capabilities of a strategic partner and ally like the Philippines in promoting stability, peace and progress.

The equipment would help the PA in meeting present and future threats by improving its ability to operate and control both inland and coastal waterways in the southern Philippines.

Willand Marine Inc. of Anaheim, California is the principle contractor for the Scout and Assault Boats, while the contractor for the Light Support Boats would be determined through open competition contract. 

No offset agreements was proposed although it would be defined in negotiations between the Philippine government and the contractors.

The PA currently has a requirement for Riverine Operations Equipment which includes the acquisition of Scout, Assault and Support Boats and equipment, as part of its Horizon 2 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) running until 2022.

It has recently received delivery of the first batch of Riverine Light Boats, of which 52 units were said to have been ordered.


[1] US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
[2] MaxDefense Philippines