The Philippine Navy (PN)'s capabilities to go after pirates and other intruders will be further boosted with the arrival of two attack versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters by the third quarter of this year.
These two helicopters are fitted with rocket launchers, heavy machines and electronic counter-measure equipment, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said on Monday.
He added that the attack versions of the AW-109s will greatly increase the surveillance and offensive capabilities of the two Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates.
Fabic said once a pirate threat is detected, the ships can immediately deploy their AW-109s to look for the suspicious contact.
And if these targets proved hostile, the armed AW-109s can fire to neutralize these contacts.
The PN spokesperson stated that the armed AW-109s can do interdiction and attack missions even at the night-time as they are also equipped with forward looking infrared sensors and night vision equipment.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=604533
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