Air Force to acquire 3 more airplanes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) plans to acquire three light lift fixed-wing airplanes to boost the capabilities of the military unit.

PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Gerardo Zamudio Jr. said they still have to secure the funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) before they can proceed with the bidding for the aircraft.

“We are waiting for the funds to be released by the DBM. The three (aircraft) will require a total of P920 million,” he said.

“These will be added to our inventory. We hope to acquire them within the year or next year.”

Zamudio said the acquisition of the aircraft had been planned even before the Nomad airplane crash last month, which killed nine people in Cotabato City.

He said the procurement has become even more necessary after the incident.

Zamudio said light lift aircraft are used to move troops and can transport around 10 passengers. Only one of the PAF’s light lift airplanes is serviceable while two other aircraft are undergoing repairs.

Nine people including an Air Force general died after a 12-seat Nomad plane crashed at a subdivision in Cotabato last January. The incident claimed the lives of all those on board and one civilian on the ground.

The fatalities were Maj. Gen. Mario Butch Lacson, commander of the Air Force 3rd Air Division; Capt. Genaro Gaylord Ordonio, 1st Lt. Angelica Valdez, Maj. Prisco Tacuboy, Lt. Alexander Ian Lipait, Staff Sergeants Ronaldo Mejia, Ianne Christy Marose Llamera and Jeffrey Gozon, and Inday Mondrano, a civilian who died after a concrete wall collapsed on her during the crash.

An initial report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board showed that the crash might have been caused by engine failure.

The incident left the PAF with just one serviceable Nomad. Another Nomad is undergoing repairs.