(PNA News Feature) --- Expect more brand-new aircraft to
join the inventory of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) before the end of this
year.
This was revealed by PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya
Sunday, a full day before the air service is set to receive eight brand-new
Bell-412EPs and two attack versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109Es at Villamor
Air Base, Pasay City
In the pipeline are the remaining six attack AW-109Es, two
Airbus Military C-295 medium-lift transport aircraft, two Indonesian-made
CN-212i light-lift transport planes, and the first two Korea Airspace
Industries F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" jet aircraft.
Canaya said these new aircraft is a "positive
development in terms of our organization."
"(All these planes) will arrive before the end of the
year, so we are looking forward to the arrival of these new aircraft," he
added.
Earlier, Canaya stressed that the PAF's mobility and
close-air support capabilities will be greatly boosted with arrival of eight
Bell-412 EP combat utility helicopters and two attack versions of the
AgustaWestland AW-109Es Monday,said in a message to the PNA.
"The additional helicopters will certainly help
increase (the) capability of the PAF. The Bell-412EPs have better lifting
capacity suitable for mobility of troops and humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief operations while the AW-109Es will augment the existing MG-520
gunships in close-air support to ground forces when needed," he added.
These attack AW-109Es are armed with .50 caliber machinegun
pods and 2.74-inch rocket launchers.
The Department of National Defense on March 2014, signed a
Php4.8 billion contract with Canadian government for the delivery of eight Bell
The order for eight attack AW-109Es signed in June 2013 is
worth Php3.44 billion.
Canaya said five of the Bell-412EPs will be assigned to the
205th Tactical Helicopter Wing while the remaining three will be configured as
VIP transports, for use of APEC delegates, and operated by the 250th
Presidential Airlift Wing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=793834
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