Agreements on joint cooperation and undertaking along with prospects for buyers and markets for exhibitors, and procurement interests from customers highlighted what was a busy day for the Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) 2022, held recently at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines.
The signing of documents as well as positive projections, both by the world’s top defense contractors and customers from the military and civilian sectors, dominated the opening day of the three-day 4th Asian Defense and Security, Crisis & Disaster Management Exhibition and Conference.
South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the Philippine Navy signed an arrangement for the HHI to maintain, repair and overhaul the two brand new frigates that it has delivered to the Navy, where these vessels have been known as the Philippines’ Jose Rizal class frigates.
The arrangement will ensure that the warships will be in the best service while performing duties for the Philippine Navy. HHI, which is among the 155 exhibitors from 31 countries at the ADAS 2022, is also among the proponents to build the six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy after the contract with Australian shipbuilder Austal was placed on hold by the Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND).
Austal, which is also among the exhibitors in the ADAS 2022, however, said it is still in constant communication with the DND in order to save the project. HHI had also been tapped by the DND to build the two new corvettes for the Philippine Navy.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Turkish state-owned defense contractor ASFAT and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) was also notched. It was signed by ASFAT Chief Executive Officer EsadAkgí¼n and PADC Chief Executive Officer Raymond Mitra.
