The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday announced that its close-air support capability will be greatly boosted upon delivery and commissioning of eight armed AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters by 2015.
"It will definitely give us a much needed boost on our close-air support capabilities," PAF spokesperson Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said.
He added that eight AW-109s will also supplement the existing fleet of McDonnell Douglas MG-520 "Defender" attack helicopters that the PAF uses in ground attack missions.
It is known to operate between 12 to 16 models of the MG-520, according to military sources.
The PAF affair with the MG-520 started in the early 90s when 25 units of these excellent aircraft were delivered to the country.
It was used with great effect against New People's Army (NPA) rebels and lawless elements like the Abu Sayyaf Group for the past few years.
The MG-520 is derived from the MG-500 light utility helicopter.
It can be armed with .50-caliber heavy machine gun and air-to-ground rockets.
The AW-109s which the PAF will be getting is armed with .50-caliber machine guns and rocket launchers for ground attack role.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=581171
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