President Aquino inspects 3 Agusta Naval helicopters, vows continuous AFP modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20): President Aquino inspects 3 Agusta Naval helicopters, vows continuous AFP modernization

President Benigno Aquino III inspected three newly-acquired AgustaWestland 109 Power Helicopters of the Philippine Navy during the 78th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Friday.

In his speech, President Aquino vowed to continue the modernization in the AFP by acquiring more ships and helicopters to perform a variety of missions such as economic zone protection, surface surveillance, search and rescue and maritime security operations.

"Sa harap nga po ng mga pagsubok, malaki ang inaasahan sa ating mga kawal. Kaya naman marapat lang na bigyan kayo ng estado ng sapat na kapasidad upang tumugon sa inyong tungkulin. Hindi na po manhid ang gobyerno sa pangangailangan ninyo; ang tugon natin: tuloy-tuloy na modernisasyon," he said.

The AW-109 helicopters cost P1.33-billion. Two more of these aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2014 for a contract price of P850.91 million.

Aside from the helicopters, two new Sikorsky Air Ambulance units and other assets of the AFP were displayed at the AFP Grandstand during the ceremony.

President Aquino said the government will also be acquiring two more C-130 aircrafts aside from the three operational units the military are using.

He added that more maritime ships will be acquired aside from the existing BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

"Makakaasa kayong mula sa pagbili ng iba pang bagong kagamitan, hanggang sa pagpili ng inyong mga pinuno; mula sa paglalatag ng oportunidad sa inyong pamilya, ngayon hanggang sa inyong pagreretiro, isinusulong ng gobyerno ang mas makakabuti sa inyong kapakanan," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=598791