INSIDE the Wallace Air Station of the Philippine Air Force in La Union lies the Philippines’ newest air surveillance radar system, a result of the free and strong relationship between the Philippines and Japan.
This facility was purchased under a government-to-government deal from Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corp for a total of 5.5 billion pesos.
This is also part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or AFP Modernization Horizon Plan 2, where the primary beneficiary is the 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing of the Philippine Air Force.
From this project, the Philippines assures the quality of the defense system of the country against those who may interfere and pose threats to the security of Filipinos and the country’s territories.
This is the Philippines’ latest air surveillance radar system, while the remaining three facilities are expected to arrive in the coming years.
It can detect the movements of fighter jets and incoming threats within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
This modern equipment also possesses other capabilities such as an active electronic scanned array, with a range of more than 300 nautical miles, a 95% detection probability, multiple electronic counter-countermeasure capability, air defense mode, and ballistic missile defense mode.
The Philippine government aims to install more radar systems in a large part of the island of Luzon, although the exact locations have not been disclosed.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines clarified earlier that the Philippines has no intention of provoking war against any country.
Instead, the military exercises, in collaboration with allied nations, aim to enhance the country’s ability to defend against potential threats to its territories.
