LA UNION—The Philippine Air Force's newly acquired Japan-made air surveillance radar system or ASRS manufactured by the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is seen as crucial in addressing the evolving security landscape in the region.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who graced the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony of the newly acquired radar system, stressed the government's serious push for upgrading the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

"We will continue to harden our facilities, we will continue to upgrade our facilities and equipment, and for which we have to thank and work very closely with our local government partners," he said.

Teodoro said the new capability system will further enhance, develop, and sustain the country's air and maritime domain awareness.

The radar system is part of the AFP Modernization Horizon Plan 2, under the signed contract between the Department of National Defense and the Japanese government for the radar acquisition project in August 2020.

The project, which covers the delivery of 4 units of ASRS, consists of 3 FPS-3ME fixed and a TPS-P14ME mobile radar platforms together with radar support facilities, including Radar Tower and Radome, Command and Control Building, Communications Infrastructure, Electric Power Generator building, and housing for the mobile radar and its vehicles. 

It also includes support vehicles for the mobile radar, training, maintenance facilities, and initial integrated logistics support systems or ILS.

The radar system, which was installed in the Wallace Air Station in San Fernando City, La Union province, will be operated and maintained by the PAF's 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing.

LtGen. Stephen Parreño, PAF chief, cited the need for the country, as an archipelagic nation, to acquire a radar system that can be used in monitoring the entire archipelago "with greater accuracy and efficiency."

"This becomes especially crucial given the evolving security landscape in the region," he added. 

Parreño said the acquisition of such an advanced radar system signifies a "major leap" in the military's capability to protect the country's sovereign territory and ensure the safety of the Filipinos.

He added that the radar, to be operated as part of PAF's Integrated Air Defense System, can detect potential threats from greater distances with increased precision—giving them quicker response times to intercept as well as ensuring a robust defense posture for the country.