Air Force to buy 42 new aircraft

The Philippine Air Force plans to buy 42 new aircraft, including six night-capable attack helicopters.

New PAF commanding general Horacio Tolentino said President Arroyo has already approved the release of P5 billion for the acquisition. He did not say the exact date of the release. Tolentino took over last Feb. 2.

The purchase of new aircraft is part of the military’s Capability Upgrade Program aimed at crushing the communist insurgency by 2010.

"The general guidance for the Armed Forces of the Philippines is to finish the insurgency problem by 2010," PAF Public Information Office director Maj. Augusto dela Peña, told The STAR.

The aircraft to be purchased include 18 basic and eight primary trainer T-41 Delta planes and 10 UH-1H Huey helicopter. Tolentino did not specify the type or model of the six attack choppers to be purchased.

Dela Peña said they hope to include only new aircraft in the package but he said they are open to refurbished but fully functional units.

"We are expecting the trainer aircraft to be delivered by the last quarter of this year," he said.

Dela Peña said PAF presently has some 1,000 pilots and around 120 aircraft of various types. – Michael Punongbayan