Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol on Thursday said that the armed version of the AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters, of which the PAF will be getting eight units in 2014, is a much more capable platform for its close air support missions.
The said aircraft is equipped with night vision equipment, Okol said.
He added that the AW-109s will be complementing the existing fleet of McDonnell Douglas MG-520 "Defender" attack in the PAF inventory.
The latter aircraft was acquired during the 1990s and is the PAF primary attack helicopter.
"The AW-109s will be useful in close air support roles and will complement the MG-520s. It will be deployed to support companies and battalions in the field conducting internal security operations," Okol stressed.
Aside from this, the AW-109s will also be used for limited maritime patrols thus boosting the country's territorial defense capabilities.
Okol said that the AW-109s have a better and advanced system and better instrumentation than the MG-520s.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=584120
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