US Offering A Dozen Second-hand Aircraft To the AFP

The United States of America would be doing something that it has not done over the past decade or since the Mutual Defense Treaty in the ‘50’s.

This will be the first time in the Philippines – United States of America relations that the latter would be donating rotary and fixed-wing aircraft to the Philippine Army. The transfer to the Philippines would be under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program of the US State Department as Washington pours more military aid to its former colony and long-time security partner.

US has offered four UH-60 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters, four AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and five twin-engine, turbo-prop C-12 Beechcraft planes for troop transport and medical evacuation.

 UH-60 Black Hawk combat utility helicopter.
(photo credit to owner)

“These are second-hand aircraft but are still operational,” the Army colonel familiar with the acquisition project but who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

“These are offered free but we have to shoulder the cost of some repairs and shipment of the aircraft. We will also spend for the armaments and avionics, but these aircraft will certainly boost our capability.”

An AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter
(photo credit to owner)

The aircrafts will be delivered to the country around 4th quarter of this year, despite all that has happened between the 2 countries with respect to the military pact that was terminated by President Duterte.

“We could have acquired six C-12 planes for the Army, but one plane went to the Philippine Navy, which is also building up its aviation unit,” the Army colonel said, adding that naval aviation has two brand-new Agusta Westland AW 159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters.

A twin-engine, turbo-prop C-12 Beechcraft plane
(photo credit to OneNews)

“In the future, we will also be acquiring brand-new light attack helicopters, armed reconnaissance helicopters and multi-purpose medium-lift helicopters. These assets will enable the Philippine Army to conduct a better array of aviation operations to support ground forces and be more responsive in the archipelagic setting in the defense posture,” he added.

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Report from Onenews

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