PH Navy gets 3 trainer aircraft from Japan

SANGLEY POINT — The Navy on Monday received three Beechcraft TC-90 trainer aircraft from Japan on Monday, completing the transfer of five aircraft as part of a deal between Manila and Tokyo.

It was initially agreed upon that Japan would lease the refurbished trainer aircraft to the Philippines for $28,000 annually for five years. It later donated the planes instead in a bid to boost the Philippine military’s limited maritime capabilities.

READ: Japan to donate five patrol planes to PH

The transfer was held at the naval base in Sangley Point, Cavite, led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda.

The first two of the five planes arrived in March last year.

READ: Navy gets two patrol planes from Japan

Both the Philippines and Japan share a rival claimant in China over the South China Sea and East China Sea.

The transfer marks the first time that Japan transferred excess defense equipment to another country after an amendment in Japanese law that allowed the donation.

The first TC-90 was commissioned into service last November, while the other was commissioned last week. /cbb