In recent years the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has introduced several new helicopter platforms from disparate manufacturers. For a service used to keeping robust but simple machines like the UH-1N Huey flying, there are challenges in keeping more modern rotorcraft operational.
James Williamson, business development manager at Bell Helicopter, stated during ADAS 2016 in Manila, ‘Support is important,’ and he believed his company is doing a commendable job in servicing the PAF’s eight 412EP helicopters which were delivered ‘ahead of time and on budget’ last year.
Bell also helps support a large fleet of older UH-1D and UH-1H rotorcraft. The company currently gives nationwide engineering support and technical assistance through rotational fulltime personnel, but Bell will have someone permanently based in the Philippines ‘soon’ to further support customers.
Bell is also expanding its spare parts supply in Singapore and Manila, while training capacity is expanding in Singapore too.
This 412EP sale was completed through the Canadian government, giving the air force three aircraft in VIP configuration for presidential transport, and five combat utility helicopters.
The other manufacturer to gain major sales success in the Philippines is Leonardo Helicopters, which has sold 13 AW109 power units to the PAF and Philippine Navy, while two AW159 Wildcats will be delivered to the PN in September 2018.
However, Shephard has been made aware of problems in the level of support for the AW109s, which is causing frustration within the armed services. A Leonardo spokesperson confirmed that there have been problems in the logistics chain.
However, he assured that Leonardo is addressing the problem as it is ‘getting closer to its customer’ with spare parts and swifter assistance. He stated, ‘We’ve already invested here, so we will continue to do so.’
Manufacturers expect future helicopter procurements in the Philippines to replace an ageing fleet, with the possibility of an RfI being issued next year. The level of support shown by OEMs to date will surely figure highly in the Philippine government’s future selections.
In anticipation of future orders, Williamson said Bell demonstrated the 412EPI with a fully integrated glass cockpit to the PAF over two periods in June/July and August/September. Air force pilots received ‘a lot of stick time’ during these two demo tours, he revealed.
It is unclear what the service status of eight PZL-Swidnik W-3A Sokol helicopters acquired from Poland is, but this manufacturer is now part of the Leonardo stable.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/adas-2016-oem-support-paf-helicopters-proving-crit/
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