Here’s what the Philippine Air Force Aircraft has received this year. This modernization project is part of Philippine Air Force Modernization Horizon one and horizon two and some of these aircraft and equipment are already delivered.
Bell Cobra Attack Helicopter
Antonov An-124 Ruslan strategic airlift quad jet arrives in Clark Air Base Philippines, bringing the Philippine Air Force awaited Attack helicopter. Helicopters then reassembled and expected to be operational by January 2020.
Bell Hercules C-130 Transport Aircraft
Last December 2018, the outgoing Philippine Air Force Chief provided a hint that the US will provide two C-130 transport aircraft this year. But unfortunately, as of now, there’s no update regarding the procurement.
An Upgraded OV-10 Bronco
In July 2018, The Philippines is the last operator of the OV-10 Bronco, with its air force currently operating between eight and ten aircraft. It also possesses several airframes that have transfer into storage. The country has previously upgraded its OV-10s to employ laser-guided bombs designated by troops on the ground.
The US Government will provide this close support to its allies, but as of now, there is no update about this close air support aircraft.
ELM 2188 Radar
Delivery of three Israel manufacture Air Defense & Air Traffic Control Radar AD-STAR for the Philippine Air Force is already completed with the arrival of the remaining two radars last January 2019. The air defense radar system with Israel ordered in 2014, to strengthen Philippines surveillance capabilities in the West Philippine Sea.
Aircraft Simulator
The construction of the facility finished last February 2019 and inaugurated June 2019. The FA-50PH Flight Simulator is a ground-based simulation training system that can help improve the operational capability of real aircraft through systematic flight training and tactical mission training programs.
Super Tucano Close Air Support Aircraft
The Philippines ordered six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft from Brazil’s Embraer in November last year.
Hermes 450
Elbit Systems has been offering the Hermes 450 to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a long time and after several years, the deal has finally come true. Elbit supplies four Hermes 450 UAVs for the Philippine Air Force.
Hermes 900
Aside from Hermes 450, PAF also is ordered Hermes 900 UAS, and some of it is already on the inventory of the Philippine Air Force.
Airbus Defence and Space C295M tactical transport aircraft.
The P1.8-billion aircraft is part of the command-and-control fixed-wing turboprop acquisition project of the AFP’s modernization program. It is a new addition to the three operational C295 aircraft in the Air Force.
Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) signed a contract worth around Php 12 billion with Lockheed Martin’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec to deliver 16 units of Sikorsky’s S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
ScanEagle drones from the US
The Philippines, sustaining its bid to beef up its surveillance capabilities, is acquiring eight ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles from a Boeing under the United States Foreign Military Sales program.
