PH firm partners with US corporation to set up weapons assembly in Bataan
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine company Asia Defense and Armament Corporation (ADAC) has set up a partnership with US-based Daycraft Systems Corp. to operate a weapons assembly facility inside the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB).
The two corporations signed a joint venture agreement last May 21 in an effort to supply customized equipment for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other unformed officers of the Philippine government.
The local production and delivery of this equipment are in line with the Self-Reliant Defense Posture program that seeks to allow local industry and labor to benefit from defense expenditure. Likewise, any excess in the production of the local facility should be exported for sale to various NATO and ASIAN countries.
ADAC has been dealing in the manufacture and trade of defense and security-related products in the Philippines which includes, defense robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, cybersecurity systems, and ammunition equipment.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (center) M/Gen. (Ret.) Arnold Rafael Depakakibo, and Freeport Area of Bataan Administrator Emmanuel Pineda. Contributed photo
Daycraft, on the other hand, is a manufacturer of defense products for safety and peacekeeping based in Arizona, USA. Its products have evolved from mechanical weapons controlled directly by peacekeepers to externally, electrically powered weapons controlled remotely, keeping the peacekeepers behind armored protection.
“We are excited to be forming a joint venture alliance with ADAC for the ASEAN region, and we know we have the right partner to focus on improved customer support and services, to continually provide better client relationships along with joint development, licensing, and sales of new products into the region”, said Richard Day, Founder & CEO of DWS. Mr. Day and his team have over 50 years of combined experience in electronics manufacturing and weapon systems controls business,” said Daycraft president Chad Day.
The partnership aims to have the facility fully operational not later than the fourth quarter of 2022.
Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda welcomed the partnership.
“The recent signing of the FAB – DND Government Arsenal agreement paves the way for defense industry investors such as the Asia Defense Armament Corporation and Daycraft Systems Corporation Joint Venture to locate and manufacture advanced military technology in Bataan,” said Pineda.
“We are looking forward to working with them as the first defense enterprise to register in the upcoming FAB Annex in the Government Arsenal and we are honored to host them and eagerly anticipate the innovative, technology led military products they specialize in.”
ADAC’s Corporate Secretary, Atty. Glenn Ceasar T. de Guzman. Contributed photo
ADAC’s Corporate Secretary, Atty. Glenn Ceasar T. de Guzman, was pleased to be welcomed by FAB.
“We welcome the benefits and incentives provided by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) to locators in the Government Arsenal as these aid local industries in their goal to support the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program of the Philippine Government,” he said.
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