DWDD: TC 90 | Planes Donated by Japan now in service

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Nov 22): TC 90  |  Planes Donated by Japan now in service



NAVAL BASE HERACLEO ALANO, Sangley Point, Cavite (DWDD) – The Philippine Navy (PN) has blessed and activated to service the first 2 of 5 Beechcraft King-Air TC-90 airplanes donated by the Japanese government in a simple ceremony at Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite.

The 5 airplanes was acquired through a Lease Agreement with the Japan Ministry of Defense, where the Philippines would be renting the planes until March 2018, but after the ASEAN summit, both countries signed an agreement that would transfer the said planes to the Philippines in the form of a grant.

The first 2 planes were retrofitted with surveillance equipment that can be used for monitoring and patrolling Philippine maritime territory. The other 3 planes is still in Japan are being used to train Filipino pilots.

According to Defense Undersecretary Raymundo Elefante, the remaining planes are expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2018.

Elefante added that the planes would be a major boost for the Armed Forces of th Philippines in its active patrol of its maritime territory, in particular, at the West Philippine Sea and at the Philippine Rise (Benham rise). AES/ALS

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/11/22/tc-90-planes-donated-by-japan-now-in-service/