March 3, 2015 manilatimes.net

The cargo and transportation capability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be getting a much needed boost with the arrival of the first C-295 medium lift aircraft from Spanish manufacturer EADS/CASA-Airbus Military this March.

This was confirmed by Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary for finance, modernization and materiel Fernando Manalo in an interview with the PNA.

“Our first C-295 will be arriving this March,” he said.

The March delivery date of the first C-295 is five months earlier than its scheduled August arrival, Manalo said.

He did not give the specific date for security reasons.

With the early arrival of the first aircraft, the DND undersecretary expects the two other aircraft to follow in short order.

EADS/CASA-Airbus Military won the DND’s medium lift aircraft program by tendering a bid for Php5.29-billion for three aircraft last year.

This is considerably lower than the Php5.3-billion stipulated in the contract.

The PAF’s medium lift capability is presently being fulfilled by its three F-27 “Friendship” aircraft.

“These aircraft will help in troop and limited equipment movement,” DND secretary Voltaire Gazmin earlier said.

The C-295 is described as “a capable and versatile transport and surveillance aircraft.”

EADS/CASA stated that the C-295 can carry up to nine tons of cargo or 71 people.

It also has a maximum cruising speed of 260 knots and operate in short and rough airfields

UH-1 Huey of the Philippine Air Force on display at Camp Aguinaldo. Photo Maurotongco.

27 June 2014 airforce-technology.com

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has taken delivery of four new UH-1 Huey multi-mission helicopters at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Philippines defence secretary Voltaire Gazmin told the Inquirer that the four new UH-1 Hueys are part of the 21 combat utility helicopters being acquired as part of the PAF's modernisation programme.

"The four helicopters are being assembled so they can be displayed during the Air Force anniversary," Gazmin said.

The PAF will celebrate its 67th anniversary on 1 July.

The helicopters would be used by the air force to transport troops and equipment during disaster response.

The air force ordered 21 UH-1 Hueys under a PHP1.26bn ($28m) contract with Rice Aircraft Services and Eagle Copters joint venture (JV) in December 2013.

The PAF is scheduled to take delivery of three more Huey choppers by the end of July.

The helicopters are expected to enhance the country's combat, security and utility, and transport capability.

The PAF is scheduled to take delivery of three more Huey choppers by the end of July.

"There were slight delays in the unloading of equipment in Port Area because of the traffic but hopefully, we will be able to complete all these projects within the year," Gazmin said.

Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, the UH-1 Huey is a multi-mission helicopter designed for airborne command and control, aeromedical evacuation, troop and equipment transport, and search-and-rescue missions.

25 May 2013 Defense Studies

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the country’s second Hamilton-class cutter due to arrive this August, is a far more potent weapon platform than her sister ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), a Department of National Defense (DND) official who asked not to be named bared yesterday.

“Her weapons system is heavier and sophisticated than those of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar,” he said.


 

However, the DND officer declined to specify these weapon systems and stressed that such items cannot be divulged due to matters of national security.

He made this announcement when asked if there is truth to reports that a Harpoon anti-ship missile system was installed as part of BRP Ramon Alcaraz’s armament fit.

At present, the Filipino warship is believed to be carrying a 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, two 25 Bushmaster guns and assorted machine guns.

 

In contrast, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which arrived in the country in December 2011, is only armed with the 76mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, making it prudent to install additional 20mm automatic cannons as her secondary weapons.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is presently carrying out sea trials off the waters of South Carolina in the United States.

She is expected to depart for the Philippines by first week of June.

 

The ship is “fully mission capable” on her arrival.

Maritime observers said this development speaks well of the PN efforts to modernize and boost its power projection capabilities.

“With the arrival of our Hamilton-class cutters, which are being converted to frigates, the PN has started its first step in developing its blue-water capability or the ability to detect or engage intruders in the high seas,” they said.

(TribunNews)