MANILA, Philippines — Ten new helicopters were turned over today to the Philippine Airforce or PAF.
These are eight Bell 412 E-P or combat utility helicopters, and two Augusta Westland AW 109E or attack helicopters.
The delivery of the combat utility helicopters under the Combat Utility Aircraft Acquisition Project of the PAF worth 4.8 billion pesos was already completed after the turned over this morning
According to PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya these are four-bladed, upgraded version that can be used in activities like combat support and airlift operations.
The attack helicopters were bought from Italy. This is the first batch delivered and the remaining six are to be delivered before the year ends. This is under the Attack Helicopter Aircraft Acquisition Project worth 3.4 billion pesos.
It is expected that before the year ends the remaining six attack helicopters will be delivered, along with two C295 medium-lift transport aircraft from Spain; two CN212i lift aircraft from Indonesia; and two FA-50 lead-in fighter aircraft from South Korea.
PAF says the acquisition of new helicopters helps a lot in the modernization of the country’s air force.
But the PAF says despite the arrival of the new aircrafts, the country still has a long way to go before achieving what is called defense credibility.
Delgado says the aircraft will be used for internal security of the country, and there has no plans yet as to whether it will be used for the defense of the West Philippine Sea.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Philipp Goldberg meanwhile says, the US supports the country’s efforts when it comes to modernization of its military.
“We help support the Philippine modernization through access defense articles, and more C130’s on the pipeline. We also support it through our foreign military funding which last year was around 50 million dollars,” said Goldberg. (UNTV News)
PAF’s newly acquired combat utility and attack helicopters.
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