The Philippine is indeed arming up and upgrading its
military capabilities.
A good news for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) who will be
needing it for its Counter Insurgency operations
or in any in close-air support missions in
the country.
Last Friday (Dec.1 )the Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs office chief Arsenio
Andolong told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview, that the
Philippines just selected Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Defense and
Security as the supplier of the six brand-new close air support aircraft
(CASA), with a contract of PHP4.96 billion.
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| A-29 "Super Tucano" is a durable, versatile, and highly advanced aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions (photo credit to owner) |
Once delivered in 2019, the six brand-new Embraer A-29
"Super Tucano" light attack aircraft will be turned over to the
Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) 15th Strike Wing, a defense official said.
Andolong said the A-29 is a durable, versatile, and highly
advanced aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions.
"(It can) even (operate) on unimproved runways," Andolong added.
The 15th Strike Wing, based in Sangley Point, Cavite City, is the operator of all the Air Force's ground attack aircraft, including the venerable Rockwell OV-10 "Broncos" and assorted armed helicopters.
"Yes. A Notice to Proceed for the supply and delivery of six close air support aircraft has been transmitted to and received by Embraer Defense and Security," Andolong said when asked to confirm whether the contract was indeed bagged by Embraer.
"The aircraft that was selected after a rigorous public bidding process that was participated in by several manufacturers from different countries was the Super Tucano A-29, which is compliant with the stringent technical specifications required by the PAF," he added.
Andolong said the contract is being crafted for signing by National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
The six brand-new CASA, once delivery begins in 2019, is expected to augment or replace the eight to 10 ageing Rockwell OV-10s being used by the PAF in close-air support missions.
Funds for this multibillion peso procurement is sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Act Trust Fund.
The Marawi Seige
The Philippine Air Force when conducting its bomb runs on suspected positions of ISIS inspired militants made use of the OV-10 Bronco turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received 24 OV-10As from U.S. stocks in 1991, later followed by a further nine from the United States, and eight ex-Thai Air Force OV-10Cs in 2003–2004. The OV-10s are operated by the 16th Attack Squadron and 25th Composite Attack Squadron of the 15th Strike Wing, based in Sangley Point, Cavite.
Also, the liberation of Marawi presented an opportunity for the newly acquired Korean made FA-50 fighter trainer aircraft during the on-going military operation against the Maute terrorist group, it was even involved in a friendly fire incident that killed a total of 10 soldiers. Aside from the OV-10 and the FA-50, the PAF also made use of its armed helicopters in its inventory.
The acquisition of the Super Tucanos is a much needed muscle for the needs of the PAF.
The A-29 Super Tucano is equipped with advanced electronic, electro-optic, infrared and laser system technologies, as well as secured radio systems with data links and state-of-the-art munitions capabilities.
The Philippines is the second operator of the Super Tucanos in Southeast Asia, in 2010 Indonesia also ordered for its own Super Tucano turboprop which was eventually delivered to them in 2012.
Report from PNA and Wikipedia
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