FA-50PHs to patrol WPS, soon using ground attack capabilities – New AFP Chief

From Update.Ph (Dec 9): FA-50PHs to patrol WPS, soon using ground attack capabilities – New AFP Chief

The country’s newly-acquired FA-50PHs “Fighting Eagle” jet fighters will be used to patrol the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año on Thursday said.

“[The FA-50PHs] will be used to patrol the West Philippine Sea and later on, the aircraft can help ground troops in their operations in priority area,” newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año on Thursday said.

Año was referring to the ground attack capabilities of the Mach 1.5 capable jet aircraft which is useful when conducting pursuit operations against lawless groups and bandits.

There are currently four FA-50PHs in the Philippine Air Force’s inventory. Another eight units are scheduled to be delivered by 2017 and 2018.

The Philippines acquired 12 units of the Korean Aerospace Industries-made FA-50PHs for PHP18.9 billion.

These aircraft are the interim replacements for the Northrop F-5 “Tiger” jet fighters retired in 2005 due to airframe aging and lack of spare parts.

http://www.update.ph/2016/12/fa-50phs-to-patrol-wps-soon-using-ground-attack-capabilities-new-afp-chief/11987