Despite the "air-to-air" capabilities of its South
Korean-made F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" jet aircraft, the Philippine Air
Force (PAF) still has its sights on acquiring a more advanced and capable jet
fighter.
This was announced by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado in
an interview Monday.
"The aircraft that we’ll be getting, while it has the
capability to intercept and engage in air-to-air (mission) is still a
transition aircraft, and hopefully in the next few years we will come up with a
more advanced aircraft," he added.
However, Delgado did not give an exact timetable on when
these advanced fighter jets will be acquired.
"(There is) no schedule yet because we are taking it
one step at a time considering the limitations in the our budget, the
limitations in our resources, so we are taking these things one step at a time
but for sure we are moving forward, we are soaring high with our development as
we continue to pursue the course of the Air Force Transformation Roadmap and
AFP Modernization Program," he added.
However, under its Flight Plan 2028, the PAF intends to
acquire and commission 12 MRFs by 2021 to augment the then existing fleet of
South Koren-made F/A-50 jet fighters.
An MRF is a combat aircraft which is capable of conducting
strike, surveillance and air-to-air superiority missions.
An example of an MRF is the McDonnell Douglas F-18
"Hornet" strike fighter which is being operated by the US
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=794655
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.