Thursday, June 13, 2013

Government committed to upgrading PAF - DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): Government committed to upgrading PAF - DND chief

Despite some financial constraints, the government is committed in modernizing the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said.

"I wish to reiterate to you the painstaking desire of our national leadership to upgrade and eventually modernize our Armed Forces. With it goes the acquisition of potent and dependable assets and platforms for our Air Force," Gazmin said in the Air Power Symposium held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 10349 establishing the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the DND chief said that they are now working speedily on the approval of the upgrade and modernization projects of the Armed Forces.

"These projects would surely provide the PAF with brand new and reliable air assets for its air operations along with the operational requirements of the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy," he added.

These include, among others, the acquisition of lead-in fighter trainers, surface attack aircraft, attack helicopters, light transport aircraft, and medium transport aircraft.

"The placement of these assets in our Air Force inventory shall surely boost its air operations capability," Gazmin stressed.

And while admitting that lack of funds have prevented the continued upgrade of the PAF and the rest of the Armed Forces, these forces have remained committed in safeguarding the country's national interest, in rendering humanitarian assistance, in performing disaster response and in addressing operational requirements for internal peace and security.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=534048

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