DND to purchase P438-M cannons

MANILA - The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to acquire P438.6 million worth of 155 mm howitzers that will be used to defend the country against security threats.

Assistant Defense Secretary Efren Fernandez said the budget will cover 12 units of the cannons and 240 rounds of projectiles.

Fernandez is the chairman of the DND Bids and Awards Committee.

He said the acquisition will be through open competitive bidding. It will also be open to local and foreign contractors.

As an additional requirement, he said: "The goods being offered must be used by the Armed Forces of the country of origin or by the Armed Forces of at least two other countries. The goods offered must be from suppliers who are themselves the manufacturers.”

The pre-bid conference will be on March 11 at the BAC office in Camp Aguinaldo. The deadline for the submission as well as the opening of the bids will be on March 11.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the acquisition of the howitzers.

"It’s a welcome development because it will be a capability upgrade that the Army needs," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col.
Ramon Zagala. "It will enhance the Philippine Army's capability on indirect fire.”

He said the Army already has howitzers in its inventory, but these are outdated.