Philippine Air Force to get 2 reconditioned C-130 planes

MANILA, Philippines - Two C-130 cargo planes will be added to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) inventory within the first quarter of this year.

At present, the PAF is mainly relying on a lone C-130 Hercules aircraft in hauling of supplies and logistics, as well as troops for internal and territorial defense.

“We have two C-130 cargo planes coming in by March and April,” said Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda.

The first C-130 would be flying in from the United States, while the other is now being refurbished at Clark Field.

Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said the two C-130 cargo planes will boost the Air Force capabilities in terms of troop deployment, logistic runs, and search and disaster operations.

“From one, we will soon have two more C-130 cargo planes,” he said.

“That’s really something that we are expecting.” 

Okol could not say how much the government spent for the two refurbished Hercules aircraft.

The Air Force is also expecting the arrival of eight brand-new utility and combat-attack helicopters during the first quarter of this year.

President Aquino’s visit to the United States this April is expected to finally seal a deal for the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the country intends to acquire a squadron F-16 fighter jet from the US.
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By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star) Updated January 12, 2012 12:00 AM
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