The Philippine Air
Force (PAF) is adding much needed muscle in its fleet of flying assets, most
especially in the transport needs of the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP).
The PAF announced it
will acquire two (2) more Lockheed C-130 Hercules” cargo aircraft which is a
welcome addition to its existing fleet of 5 workhorses.
“Based on our current
status reports, one of the C-130s is expected to arrive this month (July) while
the other one will arrive before the end of the year. Both have no specific
(arrival) dates yet,” Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio
Andolong said.
One of 2 PAF's operational Lockheed C-130 Hercules (photo credit to owner) |
The acquisition for
the 2 C-130’s is 2.5 billion pesos.
"Cost is PHP2.5
billion. They (C-130s were) co-financed by the Philippines (who contributed
PHP1.6 billion) and the US through FMF (Foreign Military Financing) program
worth (PHP900 million)," Andolong added.
The PAF was actually
able to save much needed money in this acquisition project, as originally the PAF was only acquiring one
(1) unit with a budget of Php2.080 billion. But now they're getting two (2) for
Php2.5 billion.
The addition of the 2
C-130’s is a big boost considering only 2 C-130s are operational at the
moment (1 C-130H and 1 C-130T) since the sole C-130B is currently
non-operational, the burnt C-130H was already cannibalized and written off, and
the 2nd C-130T is in Europe undergoing IRAN maintenance.
The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop military transport
aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now known as Lockheed
Martin.
Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and
landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and
cargo transport aircraft.
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Report from PNA Maxdefense Philippines
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