Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Military acquire 50 choppers to boost ageing air arsenal
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MANILA (DPA) – The Philippines will be acquiring about 50 helicopters in the next 18 months as part of efforts to boost the country’s air force, an official said yesterday.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said 20 of the choppers would be donated by the United States as part of military aid already pledged to the country by President George W. Bush.
The military also bought 10 choppers from the US for $7.3 million and another 20 from a Singapore aviation company for $10.8 million, he added.
"In all, we will have close to 50 additional helicopters by the end of 2005," Ermita said in a speech at the celebration of the Philippine Air Force’s 57th founding anniversary.
"The acquisition of these air assets enhance our air force capability in fighting both insurgency and terrorism," he added. "It could definitely help in our efforts to drive out Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants hiding in the southern Philippines."
The US has expressed concern over the continued presence of some 40 JI operatives in the jungles of the southern region of Mindanao.
Ermita said Singapore Technologies Aerospace would deliver three helicopters at the end of the month and every month thereafter until 20 units are delivered by early 2005.
The choppers from the US would be delivered late this year or early in 2005, he added.
The Philippine Air Force is one of the weakest in the region. While it has 60 Huey helicopters, all acquired from the US, less than 30 are in flying condition.
July 08, 2004, Manila Bulletin
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said 20 of the choppers would be donated by the United States as part of military aid already pledged to the country by President George W. Bush.
The military also bought 10 choppers from the US for $7.3 million and another 20 from a Singapore aviation company for $10.8 million, he added.
"In all, we will have close to 50 additional helicopters by the end of 2005," Ermita said in a speech at the celebration of the Philippine Air Force’s 57th founding anniversary.
"The acquisition of these air assets enhance our air force capability in fighting both insurgency and terrorism," he added. "It could definitely help in our efforts to drive out Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants hiding in the southern Philippines."
The US has expressed concern over the continued presence of some 40 JI operatives in the jungles of the southern region of Mindanao.
Ermita said Singapore Technologies Aerospace would deliver three helicopters at the end of the month and every month thereafter until 20 units are delivered by early 2005.
The choppers from the US would be delivered late this year or early in 2005, he added.
The Philippine Air Force is one of the weakest in the region. While it has 60 Huey helicopters, all acquired from the US, less than 30 are in flying condition.
July 08, 2004, Manila Bulletin
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