CLARK FREEPORT – Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana led the groundbreaking Tuesday for the construction of plants that would manufacture force protection equipment (FPE) and 5.56mm magazines at the Government Arsenal (GA) at the Camp Antonio Luna in Limay, Bataan.
“We have submitted (to Congress) a bill to convert this area (GA) into a defense industrial complex so that we can have right to investors, we can enjoy tax holidays or incentives and then later on we can export also from this place anything that we manufacture here,” Lorenzana said in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremonies.
He said his department has signed an implementing agreement with Samyang Comtech Co. Ltd and BuHeung Precision for the co-production of the FPE and 5.56mm magazines, respectively.
“The project will also be good for the province of Bataan because it will also generate investment and employment for the people here,” he said.
Samyang Comtech Co. Ltd will establish FPE manufacturing and testing facilities, which shall have an annual capacity of 20,000 sets of armored vest and ballistics helmet in the former Elisco Tool building within the GA complex, he explained.
On the other hand, BuHeung Precision Co. Ltd will establish a 5.56mm 30-round magazine manufacturing plant that will supply the Armed Forces of the Philippines with magazines.
Lorenzana said both companies will eventually transfer to Filipino personnel the technology needed in the production and testing of FPE, primarily armor vests and ballistic helmets, and magazines.
“These technologies are needed to boost its self-reliance defense capability to support the requirements of the AFP and other law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Present during the groundbreaking rites were Republic of Korea Ambassador Han Dongman, Samyang Comtech Co., Ltd. Inc. representative Kim Jong-il, BuHueng Precision Co., Ltd. president Min Hung-ki, and Republic of Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration director general Kim Kitaek.
