PH Air Force set to receive new aircraft

By: Bong Lozada - 10 years ago

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado, Philippine Air Force Commanding General. BONG LOZADA/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—As the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines kicks into high gear, its armed wings are set to receive some new muscle.

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado, Philippine Air Force Commanding General, said that his wing would be more capable when the new aircrafts get delivered in 2018.

“Right now we are still in the stage of enhancing it, we expect the air assets to arrive a few months from now until 2018 and this will surely strengthen our capabilities,” Delgado said.

PAF’s top brass was referring to the 12 F/A50 “Fighting Eagle” units, the contract of which was signed on March 28 and would be in service in 2015.

Also, the PAF expects the arrival of eight armed versions of the Agusta Westland AW-109s that would arrive in by the third quarter of 2014 with its contract signed on November of 2013.

“This will address some of our territorial defense concerns especially air interdiction,” Delgado said.

Concerned with the tension in the disputed areas in the South China Sea, Delgado said that the Air Force is focused on monitoring the activities and reporting to the Department of National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Also, biddings for two long-range patrol aircraft, three medium-lift cargo planes, three air defense radars and six close-air support aircrafts have been opened.

He added that though the Air Force is still grounded to the proper conduct in the disputed areas, it is “ready to confront if the need arises.”

“We are prepared (for) any contingency that the government will ask us to do as far as the territorial defense is concerned even with our meager resources,” Delgado said.

“We are ready to confront any kinds of threat should there be a need for us to be really involved but right now we are avoiding any confrontations. We are adhering to the rule of law, we are supporting the government’s efforts in pursuing the legal complaint in the international courts,” he said.