Manila, Philippines – Additional attack helicopters will be acquired by the Philippine Air Force to buff up the squadron of the PAF and upgrade the force into long term, one of the PAF officials said on Tuesday. The project of attack helicopters is just one of the continuing program of the government to able to be a bit closer to the capability gap. Air Force spokesperson Col. Araus Robert Musico cited that the layout plan of the PAF Flight 2028 is very much in line with the President eagerness to push the project.
This project will boost the existing attack units MD-520 and the latest acquired AW-109s. There were eight Bell-412Eps and two Aw-109E helicopters that were presented to the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines last August 17, 2015, at the Villamor Air Base grandstand in Pasay City. There are 12 to 16 MD-520s and eight AW-109 attack helicopters at the present that belongs to the Philippine Air Force. It is the pledge of the President to acquire more of attack helicopter units in order for the military troops to operate effectively and efficiently against the bandits and other lawless groups inside the country.
The PAF will build up its capability for detection, identifying, interception and in neutralizing intrusions in the airspace of the Philippines and in its territory on the West Philippine Sea from “Area Readiness 3 that refers to the coverage of 51 to 74 percent of the Philippine territory, to Area Readiness 1 that refers to the 100 percent of the country’s territory, that is estimated to be approximately 40,000 square nautical miles.” The military forces are hoping to reach their capability to protect the country and the citizens through acquiring latest, enough and the right equipment to enhance their ability in the field of operation and safeguarding the country against the threat of intruders and invaders.