PAF Chief visits Cebu as part of 65th founding anniversary

Says PAF to upgrade its defense capabilities

CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz in a recent visit to Cebu announced that PAF will be acquiring new external defense equipment to upgrade their capabilities.

De la Cruz told the good news during a media interview at the Brigadier General-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City last Friday as the commanding general made a round of visits nationwide as part of the highlights in commemorating the PAF 65th Founding Anniversary next month.

The PAF recommended a P75-billion budget for additional aircraft in order to implement the modernization program, which is spread in a five-year period.

Dela Cruz said they already submitted to Malacañang the list of necessary equipment that needs to be purchased and the first equipment they want to acquire is the air defense radar.

“We will be acquiring other weapon systems and other equipment needed by the PAF,” said Dela Cruz.

At present, the PAF received four new helicopters for use during search and rescue operations and an additional four helicopters will be delivered in November.

For the meantime, the approved purchase was based on the recommendations that include 10 new attack helicopters from France, 21 additional UH-1H utility helicopters to augment the existing utility aircrafts, three medium airlift fixed wing, and 18 trainer aircrafts.

In addition, Dela Cruz also recommended purchasing N-24 Nomads aircraft and two light lift aircrafts to replace the existing F-27 Fokker.

In his message, the PAF Chief encouraged the air force personnel to strengthen their forces and capabilities in protecting the country and create more programs to enhance professionalism and promote the welfare of the soldiers.

On its 65th anniversary, the PAF carries the theme “PAF @ 65th, Bagwis ng Kapayapaan, Tagapagtanggol ng Kalayaan.”

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Hazel F. Gloria | Philippine Information Agency | June 4, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines may buy fighters other than US

The Philippines is looking at arming itself for the first time with dedicated fighter jets made outside of the United States, President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday amid a territorial dispute with China.

The Philippines last month requested aircraft, patrol boats and radar systems from its US military ally to help it achieve what the government said would be a "minimum credible defence".

Aquino said that his government had asked to buy second-hand F-16s from the United States, but their maintenance costs could end up being too high because of their age.

"We might end up spending $400 million or $800 million per squadron, and we were thinking of getting two squadrons," he said in an interview with Manila's Bombo Radio.

"We do have an alternative, and -- this is a surprise -- it seems we have the capacity to buy brand-new, but not from America," Aquino said, without mentioning the aircraft model.

"These are manufactured by another progressive country that I won't name at this point."
Aquino noted that Manila had retired its last fighter jet, a Korean War-vintage F-5, in 2005. It does continue to fly S211 trainer jets made by the Italian firm Marchetti, which are sometimes used as ground attack aircraft against various insurgencies.

But along with the F-5, the Philippines had previously relied on obsolete US hand-me-downs including the T-33 and the P-51 Mustang as dedicated attack fighters, and the country now has no effective air defences.

It is engaged in a tense maritime standoff with China over the disputed Scarborough Shoal and surrounding waters in the South China Sea. Both nations have stationed vessels there for over a month to assert their sovereignty.

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AFP News/Yahoo News Online | May 16, 2012 | Article Link