Philippines receives first completed Japanese-made radar system

 

The first radar station with J/FPS-3ME AESA radar completed for the PAF. Photo c/o Japan ATLA.

Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has confirmed in a report that the first radar station utilizing the Japanese-made J/FPS-3ME air surveillance and air defense radar system has been completed and handed over to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The new radar facility is located in Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union province, which has been utilizing Cold War-era US-made air surveillance radar prior.

The J/FPS-3ME active electronic scanned array (AESA) radar was made and delivered by Mitsubishi Electric, with the Philippine Air Force acquiring 3 such radars, as well as a single J/TPS-P14ME mobile air surveillance radar under a PHP5.26 billion (US105 million) contract as part of its modernization efforts under the Horizon 2 phase covering 2018 to 2022.

Mitsubishi Electric is expected to complete its deliveries and installation works on the radars by 2024, giving the PAF a more comprehensive air surveillance coverage especially in the northern and western parts of the country that is more exposed to security issues with its neighbours.

The export of the radars is the first ever by Japan as it relaxes its arms export policies, and is expected to use this project to boost its image in the global arms market.

[1] Japan Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency

[2] NHK World

[3] Philippine Defense Resource