Long Range Patrol Aircraft project still on, amid talks on Japanese P-3C

Ang Malaya (Jun 25): Long Range Patrol Aircraft project still on, amid talks on Japanese P-3C

After reports surfaced that at least four Japanese P-3C “Orion” surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft will be transferred to Philippine military, Department of National Defense Undersecretary for Modernization Fernando Manalo said the long range patrol aircraft (LRPA) acquisition project is still on.

However, Manalo, in a state media report, clarified that the bidding process for the two brand-new LRPA is suspended pending the approval and signing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

He noted that that the LRPA project is a separate project from the P-3C.

Reports say that Philippines is set to receive four Japanese P-3C “Orion” surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft in a span of one year.

This is after “the Japanese have become more open to such a possibility, something which dovetails quite well with our own thrust to have access to equipment and technology available in our neighbors,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/06/25/11684-long-range-patrol-aircraft-project-still-on-amid-talks-on-japanese-p-3c