The Philippine air force plans to launch competitions this year for new attack and utility helicopters, but has delayed its intended procurements of new ground-attack and fighter aircraft.
Air force chief Jose Reyes says six night-capable attack helicopters will be acquired later this year under the first phase of a new 18-year spending plan. Bell Helicopter’s AH-1Z SuperCobra and Boeing’s AH-64D Apache Longbow have already been ruled out from the 1.3 billion peso ($24 million) contest, with the service instead evaluating used AH-1s and Russian helicopters. The air force intends to release a tender for the requirement as soon as its 2006 budget is finalised. The service is also finalising a requirement for new utility helicopters capable of transporting 15 troops and lifting an external load of 1,130kg (2,500lb).
An evaluation of potential aircraft – which will also be equipped for search and rescue, firefighting and medical evacuation duties – should be launched later this year, with a first batch of aircraft to be bought in 2007 for delivery in 2008-9. The aircraft will initially supplement the air force’s fleet of Bell UH-1H Hueys, which will expand from 43 to around 80 aircraft over the next year through the addition of ex-US Army airframes.
However, Reyes envisages ultimately using the new type to replace the UH-1. “We need to look forward to see what helicopter will replace the UH-1,” he says.“Our ideal requirement is for 100 [utility helicopters]. We are not even half way to meeting our requirements.”
Reyes says helicopter acquisitions have been made the air force’s top priority in a bid to improve Philippine security. As a result, most of the service’s other acquisitions have been pushed back until the next six-year spending programme, to begin in 2012. A major exception is for maritime patrol aircraft, with the service having shortlisted the Bombardier Dash 8 and Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion for an initial three-aircraft requirement to be met late in its current six-year plan. A further three aircraft will be acquired from 2012.
A programme to acquire new ground-attack aircraft to replace the air force’s 14 Rockwell OV-10 Broncos is scheduled to start in the six-year plan beginning 2012, with Manila looking at a jet solution also capable of meeting its interdiction and lead-in fighter trainer requirements.
Reyes says the air force also plans eventually to restore a fighter capability lost last year with the retirement of its last Northrop F-5s, but that this programme has been delayed until the six-year plan to begin in 2018. The service currently operates four Aermacchi S211 jet trainers to keep its fighter pilots proficient.
BRENDAN SOBIE/MANILA
Source: Flight International
