EDITORIAL - Long wait for modernization

A new commanding general took the helm of the Philippine Air Force yesterday. It is surely the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino de la Cruz, but his job will be hampered by the fact that he now heads one of the weakest air forces in the region. The weakness of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is most pronounced in the PAF, which is often referred to as “all air, no force” because of its acute lack of aircraft.

That weakness is aggravated by the crash, practically every year, of at least one military aircraft. Modernization, promised to the AFP since the sale of large portions of Fort Bonifacio two decades ago, has barely been felt by the military, particularly the Air Force, whose aircraft requirements are costly. The nation, however, will have to provide even a minimum of those requirements.

Credible defense capability is needed to protect the country’s territorial integrity. Until the early ’70s, the PAF was considered one of the strongest air forces in the region. Today, with a tight budget, the PAF cannot hope to match the capabilities of most of its Asian counterparts. It lacks sufficient capability for patrol and reconnaissance flights to protect the country’s territory.

PAF air cover is needed during military operations against terrorists and bandits. Equally important, PAF services are needed for the numerous natural disasters that hit the country each year. In recent years, massive flashfloods and landslides have emphasized the importance of air rescue and relief in disaster areas.

For its many tasks, the PAF has only one C-130 cargo plane, two F-27 Fokker planes, several Vietnam War-vintage OV-10 bombers and one S211 trainer jet that has been converted into a fighter. It has only a few serviceable UH-1H utility, Sikorsky rescue and M520 attack helicopters. If the government wants the Air Force to perform its job with credibility, it should equip the PAF with the proper tools.