Gazmin says nothing to worry about new Air Force chopper

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday downplayed the glitches that hit a brand new Sokol helicopter acquired recently by the Air Force, saying it was just a “minor deficiency.”

Gazmin said the technical problem experienced by the aircraft was not a source of concern.

“These are minor deficiencies. I have not received the report (about the troubled helicopter) but from what I gathered, it was caused by a weak battery,” the defense chief said.

“It’s nothing of major concern,” he added.

The W-3A helicopter (tail number 310925) was supposed to be one of the two air assets that would transport security officials to Clark, Pampanga last Monday for the Air Force’s 66th anniversary rites.

The aircraft, however, had to make a precautionary landing due to a technical glitch.

Gazmin revealed that the troubled air asset was supposed to bring Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista to the venue.

Due to the unexpected problem, a third helicopter was dispatched to Camp Aguinaldo and Bautista was forced to hitch a ride on Gazmin’s aircraft.

“It was the helicopter allotted for the Chief of Staff. Because of that, the Chief of Staff had to use mine,” Gazmin said.

The helicopter was parked at the helipad beside the Armed Forces Grandstand while a team from the manufacturer PZL-Åšwidnik S.A. was diagnosing the problem.

The helicopter left Camp Aguinaldo for Villamor Airbase at about 2:40 p.m. Friday after being stuck for five days.

Gazmin said there is no need to look into the procurement of the aircraft, which was acquired under the Arroyo administration.

“When we assumed, it’s a done deal already. The only job we had to do is pay the proponent. As far as I know,  there is no nothing irregular about it,” he said.

The Sokol was one of the eight combat utility helicopters acquired from PZL-Åšwidnik for P2.8 billion. The package includes ground support equipment, spare parts, support services and training for aircrew and maintainers.