FOR the first time in its 76-year history, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) can now field its South Korean-made FA-50PH light jet fighters and its newly acquired ground-based air defense systems (GBADS) that consist of the Israeli-made Spyder missile batteries in neutralizing any potential aerial threats that may intrude in the country’s airspace.
SPYDER is a contraction for surface-to-air python and derby for medium-range mobile air defense systems developed by Rafael Advanced Defense System with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries.
Exact capabilities of the system were not made public for security reasons.
These GBADS, also known as the SPYDER Philippine Air Defense System (SPADS), were acquired as part of the efforts to create a secondary defense cover after the PAF’s manned fighter aircraft.
These missile batteries will also be the primary weapon of the PAF’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group. It is described as “low-level, quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial drones, and precision-guided munitions.”
It is tasked to protect vital and critical government installations from aerial attacks and surveillance threats.
Aside from these, these missile batteries are also “intended to secure the nation’s centers of gravity, critical government utilities, and other essential facilities and assets of national importance.” Center of gravity may either refer to a country’s densely populated areas or key political and business infrastructures.
The PAF formally took possession of its first two SPADS batteries during turnover and commissioning ceremonies witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, last November 8.
“This is a day that is a momentous event for all of us, especially of course the PAF, as our reason for gathering is a significant stride to our ability to shield our territories from aerial threats of different kinds, whether from inside or outside the country,” the Chief Executive said at the occasion.
According to Marcos, modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines is vital to make it “ready for all eventualities.”
“It is for this reason that we strengthen our country’s capabilities in territorial defense, counter-terrorism and internal security. In keeping our defense systems updated with the latest technology, we fortify our capabilities to provide humanitarian assistance to respond immediately in times of calamities and disasters,” he added.
“With terrorism and external security threats brought by geopolitical tensions looming around us, around the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world, it is imperative that we continue to equip and empower ourselves in whatever capacity we are able to,” Marcos stressed.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo earlier said that the first two batteries were delivered on September 24 and 29, respectively.
The third SPAD battery is expected to be delivered by May 2024.
A typical PAF GBADS battery consists of a command-and-control unit, three main firing units equipped with four missile launchers, along with two support vehicles for field service and munitions resupply.
The Philippines is one of two countries in the Southeast Asian region operating this advanced missile system, aside from Singapore. GBADS or SPADS is a Horizon 2 AFP Modernization Program acquisition project.
The Department of National Defense (DND) signed the contract for acquisition on September 23, 2019, with the Israel Ministry of Defense and the manufacturer, Rafael Advanced Defense System.
Contract price for this weapon system is P6,846,750,000 and includes an “integrated logistics package, simulator, missile repair facility and air-and-missile defense training for personnel.”
Prior to the arrival of the first two GBADS batteries in September, the PAF on April 26 formally accepted and activated its first missile simulator facility. Formally called the SPADS Simulator-Training Center, the facility is located in Basa Air Base, and allows the PAF to train on various surface-to-air missile engagement techniques.
It also has the distinction of being the AFP’s first missile training center and will serve as a training ground for future missile operators, honing them in the skills needed for air-and-missile defense operations.
The simulator training center aims to develop three different capabilities—detection through radar, command and control, and missile firing. It is also custom-made for the men and women of PAF to utilize in their training on advanced air defense techniques.
‘Layered defense’ capability
ACCORDING to Castillo, having the GBADS in the PAF inventory gives them “layered defense” against intruding, hostile aircraft and other aerial threats. This means that the PAF can use other assets in neutralizing threats that should manage to penetrate its defenses. The PAF spokesperson earlier said SPADS is expected to complement the Air Force’s Integrated Air Defense System.
“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,” she explained.
Castillo noted that the GBADS batteries in service are the first modern surface-to-air missile defense system of the AFP. Formerly, the Philippine military had to content itself with antiquated World War II anti-aircraft guns stripped from equally old ships for their defense against intruding aircraft.
And, with the advent of high-speed and very maneuverable jet fighters and bombers, trying to hit a target with these antiquated guns and sights is a hard task.
Fighter cover boost
GBADS is described as the PAF’s secondary air defense cover, with primary air defense cover being provided by the Mach 1.5-capable FA-50PH jet fighter fleet.
The PAF’s fighter cover is expected to be further bolstered once the PAF’s multirole fighter (MRF) project is formally signed and completed. The Swedish JAS-39 Gripen is one of the two jet fighters eyed by the PAF to fulfill its MRF requirement.
Read also: “The Ultimate Gripen Choice: Is PAF’s elusive quest for the MRF combat jetplane about to end with the Saab JAS-39?” on BusinessMirror’s weekend cover, January 21, 2023.
Another contender in the PAF’s MRF acquisition program is the Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper jet fighter. The requirements for the MRF project stipulate that the offered aircraft must be “fourth generation or higher.”
The project also requires 12 MRFs at least capable of patrolling the country’s protected waters and airspace. The MRF project is supposed to be part of Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program slated for 2018 to 2022, which aims to acquire more equipment for external defense.
Any aircraft that will be selected must be able to integrate with existing radar systems that have a range of about 250 nautical miles.
Image credits: Phuongphoto | Dreamstime.com, AP/Aaron Favila, PAF